Elizabeth 'Betty' Kroll

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Kroll passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024 in Rockford, Illinois. Born   June 5, 1936 to parents Eugene J. O’Rourke and Mary Ellen Williams in Saint Louis, Missouri. Betty graduated from Rosati-Kain Catholic High School in 1954 and attended Saint John’s College of Nursing. Betty spent her career as a registered nurse in hospitals and nursing facilities.  Betty married her loving husband, David Kroll, on August 5, 1972 in Gardenville, Missouri; they were happily married 47 years until his passing in 2019.  Betty was a life long St Louis Cardinal fan and enjoyed attending and watching games. 

Betty was a member of and volunteered at St. James Church, from helping with Bingo to funeral lunches and teaching CCD.  She was a member of the Council of Catholic Women and a member of Our Ladies Rosary Makers.   She made and taught others how to make rosaries these were then sent to missions and to service men and women.

Betty is survived by her children Rebecca (James) Casey and Patricia Kroll; special niece Christine (Gary) Watson; grandchildren Donovan Heidenreich,  Mychal Casey, Jacob (Andrea) Watson, Kathryn Watson, Kiersten (Dustin) Lancaster, Kimberly Cafculas; and great-grandchild Luke Lancaster. She is predeceased by her husband, David, parents, and siblings.

The family would also like to extend a special 'Thank You' to the staff and nurses at CherryVale Place and Promedica Hospice. 

A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL, 61108. Funeral Mass will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 402 Church Street, Belvidere, IL, 61008. To send online condolences and share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com. 

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Disabled American Veterans, 211 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL, 61101 or The Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA, 18901.