Elizabeth "Betty" Jolkowski

Elizabeth “Betty” Jolkowski, 84, of Grand Island died Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Riverside Lodge Retirement Community. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Cathedral with Father Richard L. Piontkowski officiating. Burial will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday with a Catholic Daughters’ Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. at All Faiths Funeral Home. Betty was born November 15, 1929 at home, to Lou and Grace (Martin) Rombach, at Grand Island. Survivors of the immediate family include daughters, Sue Hovland, Mary Graves and daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Daniel Kaslon, all of Grand Island; and son, Jim Jolkowski and sons and daughters-in-law, Ken and Sue Jolkowski and Doug and Jeanette Jolkowski, all of Omaha. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Robert Blair of Lincoln; sister and brother-in-law, Renie and Bud Gerweck of Falls City; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Dick” of 59 years, in 2011; son, Michael in 1986; grandson, John Elrod in 2005; two infant granddaughters; an infant great-granddaughter; sister, Roberta Blair in 1990; brother, Paul Romback in 2005; and daughter-in-law, Lynette Kelly in 2010. Betty grew up in Grand Island and attended school from first through the twelfth grade at St. Mary’s Cathedral School, graduating in 1947. She was employed in the admissions office at St. Francis Hospital from 1947 to 1953. On July 7, 1952, she was married to Richard Jolkowski at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Grand Island. Her husband was in the U.S. Army, with the 11th Airborne, stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. After his discharge in 1953, the couple lived in various communities in Nebraska and North Dakota following Dick’s trade as a brick mason, moving back to Grand Island in 1959. Betty was a homemaker from 1953 until 1968. She became employed at Stuhr Museum in May, 1968 and retired as the bookkeeper from the museum in January, 1995. She then worked part-time in the finance department at St. Francis Hospital from 1996 to 2008. Betty served as a den mother when her boys were young. After her retirement, she was a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital and on the St. Mary’s funeral dinner committee. She and her husband Dick, received the St. Mary’s Volunteer of the year award in 1997. Betty was a lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and a member of the Cathedral Ladies. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters, Court Ave Maria #1263 and served as an officer. She also belonged to the Betty Bunch of Grand Island. Betty enjoyed corresponding by email to family and friends, reading and watching TV. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved the times when they were all together for a fun time. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Fund or Central Catholic Development. Online condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Elizabeth "Betty" Jolkowski

November 15, 1929 - July 17, 2014

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Elizabeth "Betty" Jolkowski

November 15, 1929 - July 17, 2014

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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