Obituary for Betty Jo Groves
Betty Jo Groves (Adkins) 91 passed away from this life Wednesday August 25, 2021. She was surrounded by loving family and friends at her beloved family farm. Betty was born December 2, 1929 to parents Opal and Joe Adkins in Kansas City, MO. She was the third of four children (Ernest Adkins, Dorothy Waddel, Donald Adkins).
On August 30th, 1947 Betty married the love of her life James Carl Groves. Jim and Betty began their life together in Missouri, later relocated in Northern Illinois to farm and raise a family.
Betty was a dedicated and loving mother to her children – Ronald Groves (Peggy), Randy Groves (Anne Whitney), Shirley Crawford (Don) & Cathy Behn (John). Raising a family and working beside her husband were her priorities.
Betty spent many years in various clerical roles including working at the Winnebago County Farm Bureau and the Winnebago High School, where she touched the lives of many.
From 1976 until 2006, Betty served as Secretary to the Clydesdale Breeders of the United States. She became the “face” of the Clydesdale industry and dedicated herself to the role of promoting the Clydesdale Horse. Her love for the breed grew as her and her husband Jim established a legacy, the GlenCoe Clydesdales, with the arrival of new foals each year being her favorite.
Betty loved her family beyond measure and was blessed with 12 grandchildren – Andy Behn (Ali), Logan Behn (Kim), Ryan Behn (Megan), Lane Fraley (Beth), Carlie Ozarka (Chris), Michael Groves, Kimberly Rhodes (Dennis), Amanda Wishop (Kent), Crissy Brown (Ben), Jimmy Groves, Kelly Groves & Carey-Ann Rodriguez. She was also blessed with 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter that she enjoyed and loved dearly.
Betty loved people and cooking and entertaining guests at the family farm. Everyone was always welcome and never went home hungry as she was an excellent cook.
Through the years Betty touched the lives of many all across the world. She had a gift of befriending others with her kind, outgoing personality. She was respected and loved by people of all ages.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Opal Adkins, siblings Ernest, Dorothy and Donald Adkins. Her beloved husband James Groves, granddaughter-in-law Paula Groves, great-grandson Owen Rhodes, great-granddaughter Ryan-Ann Panganiban.
Many memories will be shared with Betty’s extended family and countless number of friends. Special thanks to her amazing caregivers Laura Spinello, Kelly Jenkins, Amy Hurd & Cathy Fitzpatrick. She will be missed by many.
A visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago. Funeral service 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at the funeral home with Reverend Lisa Lopez-Meyer pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago officiating. Interment at Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery near Pecatonica. A memorial will be established. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
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On August 30th, 1947 Betty married the love of her life James Carl Groves. Jim and Betty began their life together in Missouri, later relocated in Northern Illinois to farm and raise a family.
Betty was a dedicated and loving mother to her children – Ronald Groves (Peggy), Randy Groves (Anne Whitney), Shirley Crawford (Don) & Cathy Behn (John). Raising a family and working beside her husband were her priorities.
Betty spent many years in various clerical roles including working at the Winnebago County Farm Bureau and the Winnebago High School, where she touched the lives of many.
From 1976 until 2006, Betty served as Secretary to the Clydesdale Breeders of the United States. She became the “face” of the Clydesdale industry and dedicated herself to the role of promoting the Clydesdale Horse. Her love for the breed grew as her and her husband Jim established a legacy, the GlenCoe Clydesdales, with the arrival of new foals each year being her favorite.
Betty loved her family beyond measure and was blessed with 12 grandchildren – Andy Behn (Ali), Logan Behn (Kim), Ryan Behn (Megan), Lane Fraley (Beth), Carlie Ozarka (Chris), Michael Groves, Kimberly Rhodes (Dennis), Amanda Wishop (Kent), Crissy Brown (Ben), Jimmy Groves, Kelly Groves & Carey-Ann Rodriguez. She was also blessed with 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter that she enjoyed and loved dearly.
Betty loved people and cooking and entertaining guests at the family farm. Everyone was always welcome and never went home hungry as she was an excellent cook.
Through the years Betty touched the lives of many all across the world. She had a gift of befriending others with her kind, outgoing personality. She was respected and loved by people of all ages.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Opal Adkins, siblings Ernest, Dorothy and Donald Adkins. Her beloved husband James Groves, granddaughter-in-law Paula Groves, great-grandson Owen Rhodes, great-granddaughter Ryan-Ann Panganiban.
Many memories will be shared with Betty’s extended family and countless number of friends. Special thanks to her amazing caregivers Laura Spinello, Kelly Jenkins, Amy Hurd & Cathy Fitzpatrick. She will be missed by many.
A visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago. Funeral service 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at the funeral home with Reverend Lisa Lopez-Meyer pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Winnebago officiating. Interment at Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery near Pecatonica. A memorial will be established. For an online obituary and tributes go to www.genandtfuneralhome.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
31
Aug
5:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Genandt Funeral Home
602 N. Elida St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Funeral Service
Wednesday
1
Sep
10:00 AM
Genandt Funeral Home
602 N. Elida St.
Winnebago, IL 61088
Cemetery Details
Location
Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery
184 S. Pecatonica Rd.
Pecatonica, IL 61063
Memorial Contribution
A memorial will be established.
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