Betty O'Neill Finken
January 22, 1930 — September 19, 2013
Elizabeth “Betty” L. O’Neill Finken, daughter of William and Magdalena (Sonntag) Wilke, was born on January 22, 1930 in Earling, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. She also attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic School.
On January 28, 1952, Betty was united in marriage to Terry O’Neill at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. After their marriage, Betty and Terry had ten children: Kelly, Gayle, Brian, Pat, Danny, Peggy, Maureen, Kathleen, Jim and Kerry. They later divorced.
While living in Denison, Betty was an active member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She was united in marriage to Denny Finken on August 10, 1985 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Betty was first and foremost a loving mother, grandmother and wife. She never met a stranger and any of her children’s friends were not only welcomed in her home but also welcomed at her dinner table. She was always giving of her time to help family, friends and even strangers who needed a helping hand. She enjoyed reading, playing euchre, BINGO, church activities, crossword puzzles and spending time with her family. Most importantly, Betty was a woman of faith.
Betty died at her home in Earling surrounded by family. She was 83 years old. In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters: Elroy, Sylvan, Doret, Virgil, Donald, Norb, Marjorie, Joseph, Kenneth, Raymond, Robert, William, Stella and William Harold.
She is survived by her children: Kelly O’Neill and his wife Cindy of Randolph, New Jersey; Gayle and her husband Marty Rinehart of Boone, Iowa; Brian O’Neill of Denison, Iowa; Pat O’Neill and his wife Colleen of Edgewater, Maryland; Danny O’Neill and his wife Carla of Kansas City, Missouri; Peggy O’Neill and Scott Brooks of West Des Moines, Iowa; Maureen and her husband Dave Remington of Tecumseh, Nebraska; Kathleen O’Neill of Ames, Iowa; Jim O’Neill and his wife Kristi of Delano, Minnesota; and Kerry O’Neill and his wife, Barb of Fredricksburg, Virginia; her step daughters: Rose and her husband Don Wageman of Earling, Iowa and Nancy and her husband Greg Voyles of Omaha; Nebraska; 29 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; her brother Gary “Tootie” Wilke and his wife Mitz of Portsmouth, Iowa; in-laws Peggy Wilke of Omaha, Nebraska; Betty Gentile of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Monica Wilke of Panama, Iowa; Ivo Finken and his wife Mick of Earling, Iowa; Bill O’Neill and his wife Rita of Holstein, Iowa; Cindy Frank of Omaha, NE; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Rev. Chris Fontanini celebrated the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, September 23, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. Music was provided by Mary Wilwerding and the St. Joseph’s Choir.
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On January 28, 1952, Betty was united in marriage to Terry O’Neill at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. After their marriage, Betty and Terry had ten children: Kelly, Gayle, Brian, Pat, Danny, Peggy, Maureen, Kathleen, Jim and Kerry. They later divorced.
While living in Denison, Betty was an active member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She was united in marriage to Denny Finken on August 10, 1985 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Betty was first and foremost a loving mother, grandmother and wife. She never met a stranger and any of her children’s friends were not only welcomed in her home but also welcomed at her dinner table. She was always giving of her time to help family, friends and even strangers who needed a helping hand. She enjoyed reading, playing euchre, BINGO, church activities, crossword puzzles and spending time with her family. Most importantly, Betty was a woman of faith.
Betty died at her home in Earling surrounded by family. She was 83 years old. In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by her brothers and sisters: Elroy, Sylvan, Doret, Virgil, Donald, Norb, Marjorie, Joseph, Kenneth, Raymond, Robert, William, Stella and William Harold.
She is survived by her children: Kelly O’Neill and his wife Cindy of Randolph, New Jersey; Gayle and her husband Marty Rinehart of Boone, Iowa; Brian O’Neill of Denison, Iowa; Pat O’Neill and his wife Colleen of Edgewater, Maryland; Danny O’Neill and his wife Carla of Kansas City, Missouri; Peggy O’Neill and Scott Brooks of West Des Moines, Iowa; Maureen and her husband Dave Remington of Tecumseh, Nebraska; Kathleen O’Neill of Ames, Iowa; Jim O’Neill and his wife Kristi of Delano, Minnesota; and Kerry O’Neill and his wife, Barb of Fredricksburg, Virginia; her step daughters: Rose and her husband Don Wageman of Earling, Iowa and Nancy and her husband Greg Voyles of Omaha; Nebraska; 29 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; her brother Gary “Tootie” Wilke and his wife Mitz of Portsmouth, Iowa; in-laws Peggy Wilke of Omaha, Nebraska; Betty Gentile of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Monica Wilke of Panama, Iowa; Ivo Finken and his wife Mick of Earling, Iowa; Bill O’Neill and his wife Rita of Holstein, Iowa; Cindy Frank of Omaha, NE; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Rev. Chris Fontanini celebrated the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, September 23, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. Music was provided by Mary Wilwerding and the St. Joseph’s Choir.
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