Betty Ione Fosdick

Betty Ione Fosdick lived with a gracious heart, always treasuring moments with family. At the age of 93, Betty passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, Illinois with her loving family by her side. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 4, 2023 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Savanna with Reverend Daniel Foelske officiating. Burial will take place in Savanna Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church prior to the service. A memorial fund has been established in Betty’s memory.

Betty was born April 12, 1929, in Lanark, Illinois, the daughter of Walter and Mabel (Kloepping) Martin. She is a 1947 graduate of Lanark High School. She also attended Ashland College in Ohio, and Northern Illinois University. In 1953, Betty met the love of her life, William “Bill” Fosdick at a St. Patrick’s Day dance. They were married on November 29, 1953. They raised three daughters, Kathy, Nancy and Cindy, and celebrated 60 years of marriage until Bill’s passing in 2014.

Betty and Bill were longtime members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Savanna. Betty was a member of St. Peter’s Church choir, the Quilt Guild, the Lydian Society, Wednesday Study Club, and a charter member of Savanna Antique Club. She and Bill enjoyed taking bus trips with friends. Betty taught first and second grades in both Lanark and Savanna. She loved reading and was a life-long learner. She easily made friends wherever she went. She had a love of gardening, especially flowers. Her favorites included zinnias, geraniums, hydrangeas, irises, lilacs, and peonies. Her home was frequently filled with fresh flowers. Betty also enjoyed making quilts and spending time with her quilting friends at quilting retreats. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her recipes are family favorites and are always present at family gatherings. Spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren brought her the greatest joy.

Betty will be dearly missed by her three daughters; Kathy (Tim) Tyler of Plano, Illinois, Nancy Griffin of Chula Vista, California, and Cindy (Bruce) Fraser of Sandwich, Illinois; 6 grandchildren, Sarah (Dan) Kuntzman; Ryan (Aly) Tyler, Caitlin (Josh) Weston, Caroline (Ryan) Hopkins, Maggie (Phil) Carter, Molly Fraser; two great grandsons, Oliver William Weston, Flynn Weston; two brothers, Gerald (Sally) Martin formerly of Shannon, and Clyde Martin of Freeport; and a sister-in-law, Bernice Martin of Shannon. Betty is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mabel; her loving husband, William; a daughter, Barbara Ann in infancy; her sister, June Kniss; and her brother, Lloyd Martin.