Betty J MOON

22 JAN 1928 - 2 FEB 2017

• BIRTH: 22 JAN 1928, Lakeville, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 2 FEB 2017, North Liberty, St Joseph, Indiana

• MARRIAGE: 9 JAN 1954, St Joseph County, IN

INDEX

[N16176] Birth: Jan. 22, 1928
Lakeville, St. Joseph County, IN
Death: Feb. 2, 2017, USA
North Liberty, St Joseph, IN

She died.
Mom and her best friend of eighty-four years (if you can believe that) decided long ago that their obituaries would simply read, “she died.” They had a good long laugh over that one, most likely around a campfire or the kitchen table. That phrase, and how it came about, exemplifies mom: simple, straightforward, and fiercely loyal-all combined with a light hearted wit. It is certainly how she will be remembered by those who knew and loved her. Betty Jane (Moon) Wesolek was born on January 22, 1928 to Etta and John Moon. She grew up with two sisters, six brothers and was the baby of the family, although our grandma never babied anyone as far as we know. She was a lifelong area resident, spending her childhood in Lakeville before making the big eight mile move to North Liberty.While on a double date to a Notre Dame football game, dad bought mom a corsage, which must have looked very pretty on her, and announced to his friend that he was going to marry her. When his friend enquired how long they’d been going steady, dad replied that it was their first date. Betty and Jim Wesolek were married January 9, 1954. Mom always said she married Dad because he had eight season tickets to Notre Dame football, though we suspect his looks and dance moves didn’t hurt either. Mom was a super fan of the Fighting Irish. Every Notre Dame home football game she made a big pot of chili and a pan of cornbread for us to enjoy while she and Dad sat in the stadium, screaming their hearts out for the Irish. She held onto those south end zone seats for 48 years, long after Dad had relocated to his eternal “sky box”. Mom eventually became a season ticket holder and super fan of Notre Dame Women’s Basketball where the seats were more comfortable and the temperature was bearable. It was a real treat for her grandkids when she took them to the games to see “her girls” play. Betty’s love of sports also included Da Bears, the Cubbies (living long enough to FINALLY see a World Series victory), and especially those played by her grandkids. She was often dubbed “Team Gramma” or “Gramma Betty” by her grandkids’ teammates. She cheered them on in volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, and football. She often offered unsolicited “advice” to both players and referees, which sometimes caused her grandkids great embarrassment, but now makes for great stories around a campfire or kitchen table. Mom loved playing games about as much as she loved watching sports. She could play cards all day long, especially euchre, during which she was often accused by her children of cheating. Everyone who played with her left with both a respect for, and fear of, her mad skills. She never failed to say “a nine never euchres” and “cut dogs don’t breed” which she claimed her dad always said while playing euchre. He was long gone by then so we took her word for it. Betty also loved playing the penny slots at any casino she could find them. Fun Club bus trips to dinner and theater with her friends were another favorite of hers. She continued to lunch monthly with fellow Wells Aluminum retirees and her classmates. She particularly looked forward to a monthly dinner dance where her grandsons, Nick and Jake, always danced with their grandma to the music of Jimmy Robbins and the CMR Band. Betty loved bowling. She bowled on teams for decades and never failed to call at least one of her daughters weekly to report her scores. It didn’t matter if her team won or lost, she was just happy to be throwing that ball down the alley, high fiving her teammates after a strike or spare. Mom will be sorely missed by all who knew her and appreciated her wit, humor and often breathless, tearful, and contagious laughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; and is survived by her brothers, Grant (Dottie) and Maynard; daughters Jann (Joel), Carla, and Melissa and grandchildren Julie (Matt), Hannah (Billy), Sarah, James, Erik, Nick, and Jake. If you’d like to make a donation in Mom’s memory please donate to any organization working to prevent and/or cure breast cancer. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com A celebration of her life will be held in June when the sun is shining and her friends don’t have to navigate ice and snow, risking life and limb to have a drink, a bite to eat, and share stories about her. Palmer Funeral Home-Lakeville is assisting the family.
Parents: Mary Etta Fisher Moon (1889 - 1969)
Spouse: James R. Wesolek (1924 - 1981)
Burial: Westlawn Cemetery, North Liberty,St. Joseph County, IN