×

Elizabeth Dare Burtschi Stedelin, daughter of Lucille and Leo Burtschi, born on February 16, 1936, of Centralia, Illinois, passed on June 20th, 2025. Betsy’s life was full, like her house.

She was born in Vandalia, Illinois, and then moved to Evansville and then Anderson, Indiana, before moving to Centralia in the 8th grade. She attended William Woods College before transferring to Washington University, where she majored in physical therapy and was an active member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She married her high school sweetheart, David Stedelin, in 1956, and they recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. She graduated in 1957 and after graduating, she successfully started two different physical therapy departments, one in Mt. Vernon and one in Centralia. She then went on to have three children, all of whom she and David raised in Centralia. She traveled extensively, in part due to the fact that the family owned and operated a travel agency. England was one of her favorite places to visit, and she was particularly fond of German Christmas Markets, wherever she could find them. One of her favorite activities included curating antiques, an interest she passed on to her daughters and granddaughters. She loved her family, expressing great happiness that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were all living in the vicinity. She was known for caring for those she loved, and she especially loved Christmas, hosting (and spoiling) her entire family at her historic home year after year. She was an excellent cook, keeping her family well-fed from her kitchen, which was her favorite room in the house. Every week, unless other festivities were ongoing, she hosted Hamburger and French Fry Day, serving the best burgers in town. During Cardinals games, she could be found in her chair with the radio on and the game playing.

She is survived by her husband, David Stedelin, as well as her sister, Linda Eggers, married to Tom Eggers, and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. Her children include Lisa McCormick, married to Mark McCormick; Emily Belk, married to Tom Belk; and David R. Stedelin. Her grandchildren include Lucy Vaughn, engaged to Alex Dunn; Georgia Bomgardner, married to Mark Bomgardner; Sam Belk; and Eli McCormick, married to Erin O’Flaherty McCormick; as well as her step-grandchildren, Adrienne Echols and Jessica Charbonneau and their families. Her great-grandchild is Emma Vaughn.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. Visitation will be held Wednesday morning from 9:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Methodist Church in Centralia and/or the St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be service to Betsy’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Funeral Home Facebook page.