Westminster Presbyterian Church
  • About Us
    • Worship & Education Schedule
    • Meet Our Staff >
      • Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer
      • Rev. Christian Ko Choi
      • Rev. Gerald Boutelle
      • Dale T. Rogers / Music Program
      • Family Ministry Staff
      • Administrative Staff
      • Custodial Staff
    • What We Believe >
      • Brief Statement of Faith
      • Our Mission Statement
    • Becoming a Member
    • History of Westminster >
      • Senior Ministers of Westminster
      • Military Plaque
    • Memorial Garden
    • Architecture
    • Contact Us
  • Worship & Music
    • Music at Westminster >
      • Adult Choirs
      • Children's Music
      • Westminster Organ
    • Worship at Westminster
    • Worship Services 2023
    • Worship Services 2022
    • Worship Services 2021
    • Worship Services 2020
    • Worship Services 2019
    • Worship Services 2013-2018
    • Lectionary Readings
    • Weddings
    • Memorial Services
    • Safety Team
  • News
    • COVID-19 Task Force
    • APNC
    • Westminster Calendar
    • The Reporter
  • Children & Youth
    • Children's Ministry >
      • Children of Abraham
      • Vacation Bible School
    • Youth Ministries >
      • Sign Up
      • Annual Mission Trip >
        • 2023 Mission Trip
        • 2022 Mission Trip
        • 2021 Mission Trip
        • 2020 ASP Mission Trip
        • 2019 ASP Mission Trip
        • 2018 ASP Mission Trip
    • Westminster Cooperative Preschool
  • Congregational Life
    • Adult Education
    • Fellowship Opportunities
    • Congregational Care
    • Mission and Service
    • Church Leadership
  • Giving
    • Ways to Give
    • 2023 Stewardship Campaign
    • Building a Legacy of Faith Endowment Gift
    • Denominational Offerings >
      • OGHS Offering
      • Pentecost Offering
      • Peace Offering
      • Joy Offering
    • HEAL Offering
  • Photo Gallery 2023
    • Photo Gallery 2022
    • Photo Gallery 2021
    • Photo Gallery 2020
    • Wednesdays with Westminster 2020
    • Photo Gallery 2019
    • Photo Gallery 2018
    • Photo Gallery 2017
    • Photo Gallery 2016
    • Photo Gallery 2015
    • Photo Gallery 2014

Betty Jellema Denham
December 19, 1926 (Roseland, Illinois) - October 25, 2021 (Springfield, Illinois)

Parents: Lawrence and Johanna Ester (Noomen) Jellema
Spouse: Bill F. Denham
Children: Barry F. Denham, Becky D. Wernlund, Rev. Dr. Blythe D. Kieffer
High School Attended: Chicago Christian High School
College Attended: University of Chicago studying organ
Occupation: Organist at Ivanhoe Reformed Church and Administrative Assistant at South Suburban College
Picture
Springfield, IL
​Betty Jellema Denham, nearly 95, of Springfield, IL, died Monday, October 25, 2021. Betty, the middle daughter of Cornelius Lawrence and Johanna Esther (Noomen) Jellema, was born December 19, 1926. On December 7, 1946, she married Bill F. Denham, who preceded her in death on October 16, 2013, following 66 years of marriage.
​
Betty was raised in Roseland, a community in Chicago, and attended Third Christian Reformed Church where her father was the organist. She graduated from Chicago Christian High School in 1944 and studied organ at the University of Chicago. Betty and her husband Bill made their home in South Holland, IL where they raised their son and two daughters. In their later years, they resided between homes in Crete, IL and Ft. Myers, FL, enjoying good friends on the golf course and at the bridge table. Betty was a devoted mother, creating a well-appointed and lovely home with clear boundaries for her children and their friends. She fulfilled her passion for music serving as the organist at Ivanhoe Reformed Church while her children were young and later was employed for over 20 years as an Administrative Assistant at South Suburban College. Nothing gave Betty more pleasure than playing her baby grand piano, which she did until the day she died. Her sense of style, gift of music, timeless maxims, and sharp wit were a treasure to all who knew her.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, and sisters, Jean Dacus Sieracki and Doris Dixey. Betty is survived by her son, Barry F. Denham of Jacksonville, FL; daughters, Becky Denham (Rev. Paul) Wernlund of Holland, MI; Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham (Dr. Peter) Kieffer of Springfield, and grandchildren, Joel C. Wernlund, Rev. J. Barrett (Evonne) Wernlund, Corey J. (Kelli) Wernlund, and Paul Denham Kieffer; great-grandchildren, Emmalynn, Bryson, Theodore, and Thomas Wernlund; nieces, Gwen (Bud) Edmund, and Barbara (James) White; nephews, Thomas (Joan) Dixey, and Scott Dixey; and cousin, Donna (Robert) Clark.

A memorial service to honor Betty's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday November 27, 2021, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where she was a member. Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 South Walnut Street, Springfield, IL 62704. The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.

Posted online on November 19, 2021. Published in The State Journal-Register.
Worship Times 
Sunday Service at 10:00 a.m. in Sanctuary and Streamed Online
Child Care Available during Service

Sunday School at 10:15 a.m.
Westminster Quick Links
Westminster Calendar
Youth Group Activities

Read the Lectionary
​​
Connect to ChurchLife on your phone

Join us:
Westminster Presbyterian Church
533 S. Walnut Street
Springfield, Illinois 62704
 217-522-4415