Betsy Park

PRINCETON — Betsy L. Park, 86, of Princeton passed away Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Betsy was born Aug. 31, 1932, in Chicago to Otto and Maria (Poslusny) Lahoda. She married the late Thomas Park on Aug. 22, 1955, in Chicago. They started their family and after his passing, on Dec. 20, 1970, she moved the family to Princeton in 1974.

She was a graduate of the University of Miami, receiving her degree in optometry. She worked with Lee Optical at JC Penney’s and Sears, retiring after 34 years.

She enjoyed traveling with her late cousin, Gerri Hurst, traveling to such places as Europe, Alaska and the entire South West. She moved to Grand Rapids, Minn., where she lived with her sister and opened a second-hand shop called “Auntie Joans Attic,” a name given to her by her cousins. She moved back to Princeton in 2009 to live with her son, Mike, and finally really retire.

She was a fan of all Chicago sports teams, especially the Chicago Blackhawks. Her favorite thing to do was spend time with her family.

Betsy is survived by one son, John (Tina) Park of Hubert, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Emily, Nicole, Amber, Abigail, Harley and Shannon; seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Bailey, Ryleigh, Alexis, Ella, Dalton and Corbin; and one sister, Marylew Lindell of Forest Lake, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thomas Park; three children, Thomas Park, Kathleen Park and Michael Park (Jan. 24, 2019); and her favorite dog, Meja.

A celebration of life for both Betsy and her son, Michael, who passed away on Jan. 24, 2019, will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, at the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton. Services for Betsy and Mike will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Father Daniel Gifford of St. Louis Catholic Church. Friends are welcome to share a story after the service.

Burial for Betsy and Mike will be at noon Saturday, Feb. 16, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.