Betty Gene Gulbronson

On Tuesday, March 31, Betty Gene (Lehrling) Gulbronson passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her "good girls", just 14 days before her 102nd birthday. She died in the same home where she and her husband, Bud, raised their eight children.

The visitation will be held on April 21st from 9am to 11am at Ottawa Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30am at St. Columba Church, with Internment to follow at St Columba Cemetery.

Betty was born on April 14, 1924, to George and Geneva (Fraikin) Lehrling in Ottawa, Illinois. She attended Shabbona Grade School and graduated from Ottawa High School in 1942. On September 14, 1944, she married Joe Olson, who tragically passed away in a military accident the following April. During the war years, Betty worked at Geiger's Grocery Store, Libbey-Owens-Ford, and Luminous Processing, where she painted airplane dials.

She later met the love of her life, John (Bud) Gulbronson. They were married on February 26, 1948, and remained together until his death in 2013. Betty lived a remarkably rich and full life. She was a talented seamstress, an avid gardener, a sneaky card player, an enthusiastic reader, and a lifelong shopper. A true fashionista, her unmatchable style and grace left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She had a wonderful gift for having fun and was known for her quick sarcastic one-liners until the very end.

Betty worked at her beloved Carson Pirie Scott in downtown Ottawa for over 18 years, retiring only when the store closed. Though she worked in the Bridal and Juniors departments, many remember her best as the lady behind the cosmetics counter.

A devout Catholic, Betty was a member of St. Columba Church for over 70 years. She sang in the adult church choir, belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and cared for the sacramental linens for many years. She also volunteered as a "Pink Lady" at CHO Hospital, earning a 5,000-hour pin, and enjoyed her time with the LaSalle County Home Extension Association.

During their 65 years of marriage, Betty and Bud enjoyed golf, cards, games, and shared a love of gardening and visiting with family and friends. They were especially fond of dancing and were a perfectly matched pair; she missed the old coot every day after his passing. She often joked that their greatest accomplishment was staying sane while raising eight children. She cherished her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was delighted to live to meet her great-great-grandson. She had a lifelong love for babies.

Betty is survived by her children: Paula Jo (Olson) Bridwell, Cate Gulbronson, Beth Lessick, Julie (Paul) Pike, John (Marianne) Gulbronson, Jane Riddle, Jim (Sandi) Gulbronson, and Patty Rister.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: David (Delphine) Bridwell, John Bridwell, Sarah (Erik) Gimbel, Jenny (John) Fordonski, Adrienne (Leroy Adelphia) Pike, Jeremiah (Ali) Pike, John Gulbronson, Allison (Drew) Jurgenson, Nathan (Chelsea) Gulbronson, Shelby Gulbronson, Matt and Caitlin Riddle, Andrew (Kelsey) Gulbronson, and USAF Tech Sergeant Tyler Gulbronson; her great-grandchildren: Jerome Bridwell, Jessica Bridwell, Savannah Brody, Max and Grace Gimbel, Charlotte Adelphia, Magnolia and Isabelle Pike, Teddy and Remi Jurgenson, Hudson Gulbronson, and another great-grandchild on the way; and her great-great-grandchildren, Devin Messanger and Cristian Gustafson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bud; her brother, George Lehrling; and her sons-in-law, Mike Bridwell and Scotty Rister.

The family wishes to thank OSF Hospice for their wonderful care and Msgr. Merdian for his uplifting visits.

Memorials may be directed to St. Columba Church or OSF Hospice.

The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com

Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory
1111 LaSalle St, Ottawa Illinois 61350
815-433-0300
www.ottawafuneralhome.com