Visitation:
Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10
a.m. to Noon at Nash-Nelson Chapel, 1001 East
Garfield Street at Route 23 in Waterman.
Service:
Saturday at 1 p.m. t Waterman United Methodist
Church at 210 West Garfield Street,
Funeral home: Nash-Nelson Chapel, 1001 East
Garfield Street at Route 23 in Waterman.
Obituary
Betty Kesner, age 94 of DeKalb, IL, formerly of
Waterman, IL, passed away on November 16, 2014 at
her home at Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb,
IL.
She was born on June 7, 1920 in Waterman, IL, the
daughter of Preston and Maude Woods. She graduated
from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA, in 1942 and
taught music and theater at Newhall Consolidated
High School in Iowa. Betty married Sheldon “Ted”
Kesner on July 21, 1943. They settled in Waterman,
IL, where they farmed and raised four children.
Betty is survived by her four children: Bob (Kathy)
Kesner of Lincoln, IL; Janet (Kevin) Randall of
Rockford, IL; Jim (Sandy) Kesner of Cincinnati, OH;
and Carol (Don) Ruhter of Barrington, IL. She is
also survived by nine grandchildren: Dan (Nicole)
Kesner, Stephanie (Jason) McKee, Kort (Meg) Randall,
K.C. (Jen) Randall, Katie (Andy) Martin, Leah Woods,
Amie Woods, Dave Ruhter, and Emily Ruhter; and by 13
great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister,
Ella Jean Davis, of Indianapolis, IN; her brother
and sister-in-law, Rev. Preston and Sharon Woods, of
Sycamore, IL; her sister-in-law, Pat Woods, of
DeKalb, IL; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67
years, Sheldon; by her parents, Maude and Preston
Woods; by her brother, William Woods; by her
brother-in-law, Rev. Robert Davis; and by her
in-laws Marjorie and Leonard Winkler.
Throughout her life, she shared her love for music,
nature, and God with her family and community. She
was active at Waterman United Methodist Church, 4-H,
and the Oak Crest Retirement Center.
Visitation for Betty will be held on Friday, Nov. 21
from 4-7 pm and on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 am –
noon at Nash-Nelson Chapel, 1001 East Garfield
Street at Route 23 in Waterman. Her funeral will be
held on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 pm at Waterman United
Methodist Church at 210 West Garfield Street,
followed by interment at Waterman Cemetery on Lee
Road. |
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the United
Methodist Church, 210 West Garfield Street, Waterman, IL
60556 or to the Beatrice M. Kesner Music/Education
Scholarship, c/o the Indian Creek Education Foundation, PO
Box 426, Shabbona, IL 60550.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory,
(815)264-3362 or
www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com. |