Betty Lou Sprehe, 95, of Boulder, IL passed away Saturday, April 6, 2024, in Centralia. She was born on June 5, 1928, the daughter of Julius and Wilma (Whitney) Rebstock in Centralia, IL.
She married Eugene Sprehe on June 25, 1948, who preceded her in death in 2013.
Betty has left behind her legacy with her four children, Gary Sprehe and wife Penny of Centralia, Tony Sprehe of Centralia, Yvonne Metzger and husband Victor of Richmond, KY, and Tim Sprehe and wife Lisa of Centralia. She is leaving behind six grandchildren, Tricia (Sprehe) Perry and husband Rob of Cary, NC, Randy Sprehe and wife Lisa of Baytown, TX, Mike Metzger of Richmond, KY, Christine Davis and husband Scott of Berea, KY, Chad Sprehe and wife Jennifer of Centralia, and Daniel Sprehe and wife Kaitlin of Collinsville, IL. Also leaving behind twelve great-grandchildren, one grandchild passed in infancy. She has one great-great-grandbaby. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Frieda (Sprehe) Hoelscher of Irvington, IL, and Wilma (Sprehe) Cash of Kansas City, KS. Also, many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
Along with her beloved husband of sixty-five years, Eugene Sprehe, Betty was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Mildred (Rebstock) Hargrove of KY, Martha (Rebstock) Patterson WA, Opal (Rebstock) Charmichal of San Antonio, TX, Julius (Buddy) Rebstock II of Paducah, KY, and Donald Rebstock of Brunswick, GA.
Betty was a faithful member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton with her husband, Eugene. Later, Betty became a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ferrin, IL, where she has attended since 1989. As a teenager, Betty worked as a telephone operator for three years in Paducah, Kentucky and later continued her profession when she went back to Centralia during the war. She worked as a cook at the Trinity Lutheran School, where she was able to put smiles on the students’ faces each day. Betty retired from SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital after years of loyal service in the dietary department.
After getting married, she taught herself how to cook and was a quick study, cooking delicious fried chicken and homemade pies for her grateful family. She was a wonderful mother, raising her children to love and respect others. Betty enjoyed music and thanks to her brother’s teaching, could play the piano beautifully. She was an ever-present Grandma to her cherished grandchildren, helping them and sharing her wisdom through all stages of their lives. Betty was the glue that held her family together and she will be dearly missed by all.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia with Rev. Ron Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Friends and relatives are welcome to a visitation time from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home in Centralia. Memorials may be made in Betty’s honor to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ferrin, IL. Online condolences and memories of Betty may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
