Obituary

Betty Jean Marlin, 94, of Rockford, passed away on April 28, 2025 at OSF St. Anthony. Betty was born in Rockford, IL on May 22, 1930, to H. Jack Gamrath and Agneta (Andersen) Gamrath and lived there her whole life. She graduated from Rockford East High School in 1947 and married Kenneth Marlin on June 14, 1952. They had three children, Kim, Michele and Vicki.

Betty lived an active and fulfilling life. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend to many. Betty was a lifetime member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, where she was a member of Naomi Circle, and a member of the Rockford Women’s Club where she served as chairwoman of the Food Shop and Forbes Department. She volunteered 17 years at Swedish American Hospital, where she was president of the Jenny Lind Auxiliary and was presented with an award for serving on the Swedish American Hospital Board of Trustees. Betty was a member of PEO Chapter FV since 1983, and a member of Center for Learning in Retirement (CLR). She also volunteered at KLEHM Arboretum and a member at Midway Village.

When her children were in elementary school, Betty helped in the classroom and was a Cub Scout den mother. She loved to play Bridge and Pitch, enjoyed a neighborhood sewing/coffee group, walked at the mall with friends, and attended monthly potlucks with her junior high friends since 1946. She was also very crafty, enjoyed going out to lunch with friends and loved to read. Betty and Ken loved to travel and spent many winters in Florida.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband and son. She is survived by daughters, Michele (Steve) Bahr, Vicki (John) Versetti, grandson Jeff (Andrea) Bahr, granddaughters Heidi Marlin and Jennifer Marlin, step granddaughters Michelle (Tom) McGill and Tammie (Gary) Norris, nine great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St., Rockford. A reception will follow the service. Burial will be in Scandinavian Cemetery (immediate family only). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betty’s name to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or PEO Chapter FV. Share online condolences at www.olsonfh.com/obituaries.