Betty M. Mcmullen

Betty M. (Matejka) McMullen was born on July 24, 1928 on a farm near Tobias, Nebraska. Her parents were John and Anna(Cecrle) Matejka. They lived close to her grandparents. The family later moved to a farm near Gilead, Nebraska. Betty walked to country school. Betty’s sister Marilyn was born October 16, 1935.

The family lived on a farm by Geneva for several years and then moved to Exeter for a couple of years. Later the family moved to Tobias and lived with her father’s parents, Frank and Jenny Matejka. There Betty got to go to school in town. When Betty was in the seventh grade the family moved to Western, Nebraska. Betty graduated from Western High School in 1945.

Betty said, “she always had some kind of job.” She was a hard working, and dedicated person, always doing her best. Some of her jobs included babysitting, working at Brown’s grocery store, and teaching country school for two years. Later on she served as an accountant at Pilcher’s Automotive, McMullen Construction, Hansmire Animal Clinic, she worked at Stewart Animal Clinic, for over 25 years. She also worked at Polly’s Shoe Store, Golden Rule, and as a clerk at Wal-Mart for over 25 years. Many Wal-Mart fabric customers would not purchase their fabric until Betty was there to cut it.

Betty thanks her friend Carolyn Heuer for introducing her to her husband Dean (Moon) McMullen. Many of their courting dates were spent roller skating - and Betty skated circles around Moon. In Betty’s words, “Dean’s brother was dating Carolyn and they thought we should date too. So we did.” They were married on June 1, 1950 at the courthouse. Betty and Moon began married life living in a two bedroom apartment, sharing a bathroom with the landlord. Their first home was bought in 1952. It was a real fixer upper. In the fall of 1962 they purchased an acreage near Fairbury. Betty resided there until her death.

Betty has always enjoyed raising cattle—they were her babies, always giving them a special treat, talking softly to them as they followed her around the cow lot. She raised black angus cattle. She had a great love for her dogs, Ginger and Skippy.

Betty’s yard was a show place of the Crystal Springs area. She enjoyed doing all the lawn care by herself and often refused friendly offers of help— with that little smile, wrinkling of her nose, and a twinkle in her eye. Betty raised her own vegetables in the garden and preserved them.

Betty loved coming to family gatherings, visiting with relatives, watching children play, and boy was she ever a sneaky pitch player. Betty could not come to a family dinner without bringing her famous cauliflower and broccoli salad. Betty was well known for Christmas cookie plates which she generously gave to her friends.

Betty was an avid reader. She always had a book by her recliner. Betty only slept 4-5 hours per night, so she read lots of books.

Betty was not much of a traveler—but she did accompany our family on two family cruises. One to the Caribbean celebrating her aunt and uncles 50th wedding anniversary, and the other to Alaska, celebrating her aunts 80th birthday. She was one of Rose’s Buds.

Betty was always willing to help family and friends. She would bring her mother from Western to her home every weekend after her father died. Later she took care of her mother in her home.

Betty was a prim and proper lady. Betty never missed a hair appointment and kept it neat all week.

She went to her eternal home on May 7, 2015. She was drowned in the basement of her home during a major flood of the area. Preceding her in death, her husband Dean McMullen, mother and father, Anna and John Matejka, and sister Marilyn Michelson.

She was also preceded in death by her mother and father in law, Walter and Ollie McMullen, brothers in law, Don and Toby McMullen, and Ralph McDaniel, sister in law Lois and husband Dick Widick. Nephews Mick McDaniel, Steven Widick, Lucas McMullen, Layne McDaniel, and several aunts and uncles. Surviving her are sisters in law Norma McDaniel, Greta McMullen, and Mary McMullen, an aunt Rose Marie Cecrle, cousins Barbara Baldwin, Joyce Niederklein, Delores Vincent, Ruth Ellen Vincent, Margaret Day, Henry Kral, and Luree Schrock, brothers in law and wives Wes and Carolyn McMullen, Fred and Francis McMullen and several nieces and nephews, along with a host of family and friends who referred to her as Aunt Betty.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday May 11, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury with Pastor Fay Hubbard officiating. Burial was at the Fairbury Cemetery-Fairbury, NE. Memorials are to the family's choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.