Betty Irene Grothe of Urbana and formerly Rantoul, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at 12:40 a.m., with her family with her.

Betty was born to Roy and Emma (Huffman) Wood on July 4, 1930 in rural Sadorus. We always celebrated her birthday on Independence Day with a cookout and plenty of fireworks. Our family affectionately called her the "firecracker lady." She married Frederick Grothe on October 6, 1956, at the Sadorus Methodist Church, he survives. They shared over 61 years together until her passing. She is also survived by their children, Michelle Doty and husband Bob, Marcia Grothe, Melisa Cornelius and husband, Mick. A son, Mark Wayne preceded her in death. Also surviving her are granddaughters Hannah Doty, Elizabeth Underwood and husband Joshua, Andrea Cornelius, and sister, Berniece Magsamen and brothers William Wood and Kenneth (Karen) Wood, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four sisters Marie, Lois, Margaret, Lucille, and three brothers, Jack, Harold, and James.

Betty attended a country grade school in rural Sadorus and when a bout with scarlet fever affected her ability to walk the two miles to school, her dad bought her a pony to ride to the school. She also preferred helping with the outside farm work rather than helping her mother with the housework. She enjoyed playing Bingo and generously gave away her prizes to family and friends. Betty attended the Tolono (Unity) High School. She also attended the Champaign Beauty School and obtained her cosmology degree which she put to good use with a small shop in her home in Sadorus and in Rantoul after marriage. She also worked in beauty shops in Champaign and Rantoul.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 PM Friday December 29 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, Father Joel Phelps officiating. Online condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com. Memorials may be made to St. Malachy School, 340 E. Belle, Rantoul, IL 61866.