Betty Kristin Marcure

Betty Kristin (Knauer) Marcure, age 74 of Elizabeth, IL passed away on Friday, February 9, 2024, at MercyOne Hospital, Dubuque, IA. She was born July 2, 1949, in Freeport, IL to William and Mary “Mac” Magdalene (Meyerhofer) Knauer. Betty was number seven of eleven children. She lived most of her life in Elizabeth, graduating with the Class of 1967.

Betty married Thomas Allan Marcure on February 12, 1972, in Elizabeth, IL at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. This was also the wedding anniversary of her parents.Tom passed away in 1982, and Betty was left to raise four children, Kristine, Kimberly, Kevin and Kraig. She made sure they had everything they needed, and commonly used the phrase, “It is what it is.” This was an inspiration to her children. Christmas was a favorite holiday, and it didn’t matter who showed up, everyone went home with a gift.

She attended Beauty School in Freeport, IL and was a beautician for over 40 years. Betty worked for her uncle Ralph Knauer in Stockton and Marie Vandedrink in Elizabeth, until opening Betty’s Kountry Kurls in Elizabeth. While having her own beauty shop, Betty also worked at the Elizabeth Nursing Home for over thirty years as a cook.

Betty was well known by many, near and far for her baking skills, which she learned from her mother while growing up and working at Mac’s Restaurant. Betty was always baking pies, cookies, and rolls. She helped put the “Knauer Family Cookbook'' together and was known for teaching family and friends how to make filled noodles. She loved playing cards with her siblings on Sunday's and her friends during the week, or the “young” farmers group. She loved bowling with her sisters in Stockton.

Betty was an active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Church, always helping others, giving baked goods for benefits or luncheons, or giving a ride to make sure friends could play cards. When it was her time to ask for help it was hard. The family would like to give a special thanks to everyone that has helped Betty through the years, whether it was helping raise her four K’s (kids) after Tom passed away, being a friend, or getting her to doctor appointments.

Betty is survived by her four children, Kristine (John) Haas of Darlington, WI, Kimberly (Tracy) Folks of Galena, IL, Kevin (Jennifer Sullivan) Marcure of Elizabeth, IL, Kraig (Catherine) Marcure of Shelbyville, IL; five grandchildren Brent Stienmetz, Emilly Folks, Katrina Folks, Gregory Folks, and Hamilton Yutmeyer Marcure; nine siblings Dale Knauer, Janet Roberts, Carole Busjahn, Robert Knauer, Paul (Ruth) Knauer, Lyle Knauer, Judy (Don) Kaufman, Mary (Joe) Ambrosia and Jim (Cheryl) Knauer; several in-laws, Kathleen Knauer, Edmund Marcure, Corinne (Sylvan) Labrie, Charles “Buzz” (Diane) Marcure, Sandra (Al) Griffiths, David (Diane) Marcure; and many nieces and nephews.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Marcure (November 7, 1982); both parents William and Mac Knauer; her brother David Knauer; two brothers-in-law, Lewis Busjahn and Wendell Roberts; two sisters-in-law, Penny and Jenny Knauer; and in-laws, Edmond and Margaret Marcure, Albert, Bessie, Mary Jo, Jim, and Bob.

A funeral service will be held 10:30am, Friday, February 23, 2024 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, IL with burial in the Elizabeth Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4 – 7pm, Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth, and one hour prior to the service at the Church. Memorial donations may be made for St. Paul’s Evangelical Church and the Elizabeth Food Pantry.