Betty Jean Spilger

Betty Jean Spilger, 90

Betty Jean Spilger of Grand Island passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Services will be Friday, February 14 at the Berean Bible Church in Grand Island with Pastor Jim Reynolds officiating. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. at the church followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. A private burial will take place later at the G.I. City Cemetery.

Betty was born April 8, 1934 at Farwell to Wilfred and Isabelle (Chalupsky) Safarik. She was raised on the family farm north of Farwell and attended rural School District 52. She also attended Farwell High School for two years before attending St. Paul High School where she graduated in 1951. 

 On October 8, 1966, she was united in marriage to Gilbert Spilger. They lived in St. Paul before moving to Grand Island in 1968. They had one son, Jarrod. 

 From 1951 until her son was born in 1971, Betty worked for the Howard-Greeley Rural Public Power District in St. Paul. From 1983 to 1996, she was a lunchroom aide at West Lawn Elementary School. 

 Betty enjoyed participating in ministries at the Evangelical Free Church and Berean Bible Church, family gatherings, reading, crossword puzzles, and traveling, especially to Canada and Alaska. 

 She is survived by her husband Gilbert, son Jarrod (Krystal) Spilger of Grand Island, sister Noreen Malone of Lincoln, brother Rick (Elaine) Safarik of Farwell, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister and brother-in-law Shirley and John Jarzynka, and brother-in-law Jim Malone.

 Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.