Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Ann Turnroth

ROCK FALLS – Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Turnroth, 89, of Rock Falls passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, surrounded by her immediate family.

Betty was born Elizabeth A. Jerger on May 15, 1929, in Chicago, the daughter of Jacob and Anna Jerger. She married Richard “Dick” N. Turnroth on August 6, 1949, and they would have celebrated 70 years together this year. Betty was a dedicated homemaker while her two sons, Rick and Curt, were growing up, but returned to Northern Illinois University at the age of 42 to obtain her teaching degree. Betty taught first graders to read while Dick ran the family business, Turnroth Sign Company.

She taught kids to read for 25 years at Central, Jefferson, and Franklin elementary schools. She used to say that when they came to 1st grade, “they were sucking their thumbs and could not read but when they left, they could read and she was sucking her thumb.” Teaching kids to read gave her tremendous satisfaction. What brought her great joy was seeing those kids she had taught to read all grown up and successful in the community. She took a great deal of pride in that.

Betty had a terrific sense of humor. She had a joke for everyone and so loved telling jokes in the teachers lounge at school. She was active in the Republican Women and served on various committees while a member at the old Rock River Country Club. She was a longtime member of Broadway United Methodist Church in Sterling. Dick and Betty traveled to Europe over the years and developed a love for England and Scotland.

Betty was proceeded in death by her father in 1968 and her mother in 1987.

Survivors include her husband; sons, Rick (Linda) of Rock Falls and Curt (Beth) of LaCrosse, WI; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial is planned at a later date.