Elizabeth "Betty" Whalen

Elizabeth "Betty" Chihak Whalen, 95, of Austin, Minnesota died Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Sacred Heart Health Care in Austin. She was born November 29, 1916 in La Junta, Colorado to Ralph and Irene (Sullivan) Coppin. At age two she moved to Illinois with her mother. At age five she moved to Lourdes, Iowa where she was raised along with her brother by Charles and Nora Walters. Betty was a member of St. Augustine parish in Austin since 1943. She was a generous, kind, faith-filled loving and wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. She was preceded in death by husband Clarence Chihak to whom she was married in 1936 until his death in 1968, husband Thomas Whalen, to whom she was married in 1974 until his death in 1999, brother Bill Coppin, son Jack Chihak, son-in-law Arden King, grandsons Matthew Veverka and Brian Chihak, step-grandchildren Lisa Whalen and Mark LaVelle. Betty is survived by her children: Kathleen Veverka of Lombard, Illinois, Mary King of Austin, Minnesota, Bill Chihak of Lakewood, California, Beverly (Tom) Brown of Aberdeen, Washington, Colleen (Joe Urbassick) Chihak of Palo Alto, California, step-children: Connie (Casey) LaVelle of Naples, Florida, Sharlene (John) Remmel of Naples, Florida and Mike (Sue) Whalen of Edgewood, Kentucky, 21 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, 6 step-great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 11:00a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Austin, Minnesota, with Father James Steffes presiding. There will be visitation at the church one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 26 at Mayer Funeral Home from 4:00 until 7:00p.m. with the rosary recited at 4:00 p.m. The family of Betty Whalen suggests memorial contributions to St. Augustine Church. Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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