Elizabeth “Betty” Dudek was born to Roman and Anna (Zientek) Wojciechowski on January 21, 1932 in LaSalle, Illinois. Betty was the 8th of 10 children. Growing up on a farm in Dimmick Township taught her resilience, resourcefulness, and how to keep a sense of humor when life got muddy. She attended St. Hyacinth’s School and LP High School in LaSalle before working at Westclox in Peru until a certain Norbert Dudek stole her heart. Betty knew her husband most of their lives as their parents were family friends. Their love story began with a Saturday night date in 1951. They were engaged in 1953 before Norb left for the Korean War and married on September 10, 1955. Together, they built a beautiful life starting on 4th Street in LaSalle, then Seventh Street in Peru in 1956 when their first son John was born, and finally moving to Utica, Illinois in 1990. Along the way they raised 5 children: John (Peggy Fahler), Annemarie (died as an infant), Mark (Lori Kuffel), Rose (Patrick) Pollard and Michael Dudek (Jennifer Carter). Betty was also blessed with 10 Grandchildren and 4 Great-Grandchildren. Betty helped found Letterkraft Printers, Inc. (now LKCS, Inc.) with her husband Norb in 1961 where Betty worked part-time until the 1990’s, helping with the bookkeeping. Betty was a woman of many talents: she was an avid reader, camper, boater, seamstress and gardener, she loved canning, cooking, baking , and playing cards. With her husband, children, sisters and friends, Betty travelled extensively, and enjoyed seeing most of the U.S. as well as Rome, Jerusalem, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Betty very much enjoyed being a grandmother and will be remembered very fondly by her grandchildren for her unconditional love, wicked sense of humor, generous heart, expert puzzle making, Christmas raviolis, homegrown lettuce salads with bacon dressing, apple pies, and chocolate chip cookies. Betty passed at home surrounded by her family. She was our rock, and she will be missed. Betty is predeceased by her husband Norbert Dudek, daughter Annemarie, and her siblings and their spouses; Anna (Edward Siembab) Mary, Vincent (Florence Kotecki), Joseph (Regina Rydz), Helen (husband Melvin Huettemann), Loretta (husband John Stenbeck), Jeannie (husband Clem Schwarting) Henry and Cille Wojciechowski. She was the loving daughter-in-law of the late Michael and Marie Dudek and sister-in-law of the late Michael Dudek and Richard “Dick” (Irene Jozwiak) Dudek. Betty is survived by her 4 children, 10 grandchildren, Matt Dudek (Gina) Michael Dudek (Amy), Michael Pollard (Monika), Ross Dudek (Charolette), Kara Dudek (Eric), John Pollard (fiancé Olivia), Claire Dudek, Joe Dudek (Marisa), Jacob Dudek, Eric Dudek and 4 great-grandchildren Jackson, Olivia and Quinton Dudek and Edda Senz Pollard, and many loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, from 9:30 – 11:30 followed by a funeral mass at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church, 927 10th St. LaSalle, IL. Interment will follow at St. Hyacinth’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital are appreciated. Arrangements are being made by Burgess Funeral Home, 815-223-0587 or www.burgessfh.com. (Please note: St. Hyacinth Church is currently under construction. Please enter through the side doors at the front of the church).
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