Betty A (Themanson) Sterett

Betty Ann Sterett, 87, of Biggsville , IL passed away at 3:27 a.m., Saturday, December 26, 2020, at the Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst, IL. Born at home in Monmouth, IL on December 1, 1933, she was the fourth daughter of John Arthur and Elsie (Kleinkopf) Themanson.  Her formal education consisted of graduating from Willits Grade School and Monmouth High School in 1952, plus courses at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa.

On September 25, 1953, she married Larry S. Sterett, at the First Lutheran Church in Danville, Illinois, and he survives.  To this union were born four children—Deborah Ann Sterett of Jacksonville, IL, Tamee Kay (Dan) Renwick of Monmouth, IL, SSgt. Ret'd. USMC William Bradley (Carolyn) Sterett, deceased of Swansboro, North Carolina, and Richard Brian (Nanci) Sterett of Biggsville, IL.

Beginning with the the usual baby-sitting jobs of the time Betty's work career was a busy one.  She served as a bookkeeper for Sandstrom's Creamery, receptionist for Cudd's Cleaners, and a waitress for Smith's Restaurant, all in Monmouth, and a bookkeeper for the White Line Laundry in Champaign, IL.  Later she worked as a checkout clerk at Benner Tea Co. in Monmouth, IL. She then moved to the National Bank as a teller/cashier where she remained until the family moved to rural Biggsville.   Later, with the children all in school, she went to work for the First State Bank of Biggsville as a receptionist/bookkeeper/teller.  She remained in this position for 40 years until retiring in April 2009.

Raised as a Lutheran, Betty joined the United Presbyterian Church in Biggsville where she was a member for more than 60 years.  During that time, she served as a nursery and primary teacher for the Sunday School.  She also served as an officer on the Board of Trustees, as a Deacon, and later as an Elder.  She taught a class and assisted with Vacation Bible School in the summers.

Betty enjoyed sports and was a Chicago Cubs and Bears fan.  She wished Title IX had been in effect when she was attending school as she loved to golf and swim.  Bowling was high on her to-do list, and she bowled on a local league team, first at Oquawka Lanes and later at Country Fun.

Betty enjoyed traveling and traveled often with her sister and brother-in-law, Martha and DuWayne.  She visited England, France, Scotland, the Panama Canal and Hawaii.  She traveled to most of the western and eastern U.S.  including Canada every summer with the entire family via their camper and visited many historical places.  Betty especially enjoyed shopping, particularly if there were bargains to find!

A caring daughter who visited her widowed mother almost every week, she was a loving wife and mother who never said a bad thing about anyone.  Betty never claimed to be perfect, but she was close.  She will be greatly missed by her husband, family and friends.

Besides her husband and 3 children Betty was Grandma to seven grandchildren—Daniel Dustin Renwick of Washington, DC, Emilee Anne Sterett Renwick (Kevin) Caba of Monmouth, Il, 2nd Lt. US Marine Corps Benjamin (Dakota) Sterett, of Hubert, NC, Sara Sterett and Mary Sterett of Swansboro, NC, Christian A. “Andy” Sterett and Johanna Elizabeth Sterett of Biggsville.  She has one great-grandson, Elijah Sterett of Hubert, NC. The youngest of her siblings, Martha (DuWayne) Pople, of Freeport, IL, also survives along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, two sisters, Margaret Shaner and Charlotte Marston; three brothers, John Themanson, Darrall Themanson, and Donald Themanson, and three infant siblings.

Cremation has been accorded.  Due to current Covid-19 conditions and restrictions the family has elected to hold a memorial service at a later date.  Memorials may be given to the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital and sent to the funeral home. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL is in charge of the arrangements.