Betty Joyce (Nelson) Recla

LOVES PARK, Ill. - Betty Joyce (Nelson) Recla passed away peacefully Aug. 27, 2023, in Loves Park, Illinois. She was born on Nov. 19, 1924, in Montreal, Wisconsin.

Betty was a 1942 graduate of Lincoln High School in Hurley, Wisconsin.

She worked for two years in Chicago, at a war plant and later returned to Montreal to marry her childhood sweetheart Louis C. Recla on April 18, 1945 in Salem Lutheran Church.

She and her family lived in Ironwood, Michigan, until the mines closed, then moved to many other cities including Kenosha, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Rapids, Decatur and Rockford. During this time she worked in many food service positions until retiring in 1987.

Betty was active in scouting and in the Luther League. She worked in tomato and vegetable gardens all of her life, enjoyed canning with her sister, Nancy, every summer and fall, and quilting with the Salem Quilters. For many years she spent her winters in McCallen, Texas, and her summers in Ironwood.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Elsa (Swanson) Nelson; her loving husband, Louis; granddaughter, Betty Ann Stefl; three brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy (Nelson) Luppino; her sons, Dean (Sandy) and Tim (Debbie); her daughters, Linda (Jeff) Lamb, Mary (Dale) Rorabaugh and Ann (John) Meyers; grandchildren, Chris (Jill) Recla, Aaron Rorabaugh, Scott Stefl, Adam (Ann) Stefl, David (Kristen) Stefl, Joel (Michelle) Stefl, Heather Maddux, Heath (Pam) Recla, Jill (Joey) Aspinwall, Joe (Stacy) Meyers, Marc (Christy) McCutchen and Curt (Kelsey) McCutchen; as well as by 29 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was loved by many and will be missed by all.

A celebration of life in her honor is to be held at Salem Lutheran Church, in Ironwood, on Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be held at 3 p.m. in Hillside Cemetery, in Iron Belt, Wisconsin.

Instead of flowers, please make donations to Salem Lutheran Church, in Ironwood.