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