Betty J. Niemi, 86, a resident of Grant Township for 73 years, passed away at home Monday, July 12, 2021, surrounded by family. Betty was born April 24, 1935, in Watseka, Illinois and moved to Fox Lake with her family in 1948.
Betty was very active in community and civic activities and served as Grant Township Assessor for over 30 years. She was a past recipient of the Marshall Theroux Memorial Award, which is the most prestigious award given to one assessor statewide, per year, who has contributed to the professional progress of property appraisal and assessment. She was also past president of the Lake and McHenry County Assessors’ Association, Grant Township Precinct Committeeman for over 40 years, past president of the Grant Township Republican Club, past treasurer of the Fox Lake Library Board, member of the Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce, member of the Fox Lake Lions Club, and past president of the Fox Lake Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. In addition, she enjoyed doing volunteer work with seniors and playing Mrs. Santa for the Fox Lake Fire Department children’s parties, as well as the Fox Lake Rotary’s Breakfast with Santa.
She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Robert; sons, Michael (Susan) McNally, Timothy (Karen) McNally; daughter, Kathy Heins; stepsons, Douglas (Christy) Niemi and Kenneth (Degi) Niemi; two brothers, Kenneth (Maryann) Kohl and Larry (Joan) Kohl; grandchildren, Kimberly (Larry) VanHoorelbeke, Brian (Jennifer) McNally, Deedra Gendrich, Branden Chaisorn, Ryne McNally, and Paige Smith; great-grandchildren, Shawn (Rylee) VanHoorelbeke, Steven VanHoorelbeke, Katelyn McNally, Dylan McNally, Aubrie Smith, Mallory Smith, Cheyenne Niemi, and Cassidy Niemi; great-great grandson, Shawn VanHoorelbeke II; and many nieces and nephews. She will be sadly missed by all.
In addition to her parents, Ruth and Harold Kohl, she was preceded in death by her sister, Donna Moog; sister-in-law, Jan Kohl; and son-in-law, Hans Heins.
Memorial visitation Friday, July 16, from 3 p.m. until the time of eulogy service at 7 p.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals & Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.Alz.org/donate, or the Fox Lake Lions Club, PO Box 398, Fox Lake, IL 60020-0398, appreciated.
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