Betty M. (Klink) Lamb

Betty Marie (Klink) Lamb, age 91, of Geneseo, IL, passed away peacefully at Betty’s Garden Memory Care in Kewanee, IL, on September 8, 2023. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coal Valley, IL, on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM at the church with Rev. David Anderson officiating and will be available to Livestream on the Vandemore Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo, IL. Memorials can be made to the Betty Lamb Memorial Fund to be distributed amongst her favorite charities. Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory-Geneseo Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Betty was born on December 9, 1931, in Bloomington, IL to August and Marie (Ihrcke) Klink. After graduating from Bloomington High School and working at State Farm Insurance, she met and married the love of her life, Lawrence E. Lamb on August 22, 1951. He preceded her in death on August 17, 2007. Together they raised 3 children, Debra, Gary (d.2022), and Cathy. They spent many years in Wilmington, IL where she worked as a school secretary. After they relocated to Geneseo, she worked various jobs, and then retired from the Rock Island Arsenal.

Betty was a faithful Christian and member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Coal Valley, IL. Prior to that church, she was active at the former Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Colona, IL and Grace Lutheran Church in Wilmington, IL. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington, IL. She sometimes taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and could often be found making coffee and preparing for Bible study. She would remind you to “always put God first”.

She was also a member of the Lioness and Lions International organizations. She and Larry worked on many projects in and around Geneseo. One of their favorite things was helping transport eyes donated for transplant to the local airport, as well as to collect and forward used eyeglasses for the Lions.

Betty is survived by: 2 daughters, Debra (Bruce) Bley of Sterling, IL and Cathy (Drew) Schillinger of Geneseo, IL; daughter-in-law, Mary Lamb of Westminster, CO; grandchildren Andrew Bley, Patrick Bley, Lisa Powers, Matthew Irvin, Breanna Irvin, Rachel Irvin, Zachary Lamb, Rebekah Benton, Cami Roy, Denae Lamb, Emma Lamb, and Erin (Mitch) Erickson; great grandchildren Noah and Caleb Bley, Gracelyn, Elliana, Emmett Irvin, Casey Powers Jr. and Turner Erickson ; brother-in-law Robert Lyons of Green Valley. IL; God-daughters Jennifer Smart and Judy Marietta; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents August and Marie; husband Lawrence Lamb; son Gary Lamb; brothers Walter, William, and Wilbur Klink; sisters Margaret Altine and Barbara Lyons, and son-in-law, Merle Bear.

We would like to say a huge “Thank You” to all the staff of Betty’s Garden Memory Care of Kewanee, and to Beacon of Hope Hospice of Illinois, for all of the exceptional and loving care they showed our mom.