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Obituary

Betty Estelle Dahlin, 103, of Paris, Illinois, passed away at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021, at Life’s Journey Senior Living in Paris.

She was born September 28, 1917, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to John Cloyd and Mary Elizabeth “Mae” (nee Arnott) Grisinger, the youngest of their four children. Betty married Ernest Oscar Dahlin in Burlington, Iowa, on March 23, 1942. He died May 14, 1984, in Paris, Illinois.

Betty spent her happy childhood years in Casper, Wyoming, where she became a talented dancer, performing on stage from the young age of four and throughout her college career. In addition to her dancing talent, she was an accomplished athlete, excelling at swimming, running the fifty-yard dash, ping pong, tennis, golf, and baseball, as well as volleyball and basketball, despite her petite frame. It was thought that her excellent physical fitness was largely responsible for her survival of a near-fatal case of diphtheria when she was ten years old.

As Senior Class President, Betty graduated at the top of her class from Burlington High School in 1935, and enrolled in the University of Iowa, where she became a member, and later President, of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. There she continued to excel in academics, athletics, and music until she developed potentially deadly blood clots in her head and lungs, causing immediate bed rest and the abrupt discontinuation of her college life. However, after the blood clots dissolved several months later, she continued her college education at the University of Southern California, where she graduated with honors in 1940. Upon graduation she returned to Iowa and worked as the private secretary to the Superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad Company at Ottumwa, Iowa.

Betty met Ernie Dahlin through her longtime boyfriend, Art Manush (nephew of Hall of Fame baseball player, Heinie Manush). Betty and Ernie’s friendship developed into a romance, and they were married in Betty’s parents’ home in Burlington, Iowa, on March 21, 1942. They remained happily married until Ernie’s death forty-two years later in 1984.

Betty was employed as a legal secretary for Massey, Anderson, & Gibson Law Firm in Paris from the mid-1970s until the mid-1980s.

Over the years, Betty enjoyed writing short stories of real events in her and her family’s lives. She began playing Bridge as a child and enjoyed the game throughout her life. She was a lifelong Presbyterian, and was active in her church taking on various roles over the years. Betty was also an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, joining in 1946, where she held numerous roles as officer over the years.

Betty is survived by her four children, Nanette Ertz of Asheville, North Carolina, Brock Dahlin (and Jennifer Purdue) of Roachdale, Indiana, Debra Lechwar (and Michael) of Wentzville, Missouri, and Gris Dahlin (and Shannan) of Blaine, Minnesota. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Logan Ertz of Charlotte, North Carolina, Casey Ertz (Amanda) of Weaverville, North Carolina, Jay (Bryna) Dahlin of Chicago, Illinois, Brook (Bridget) Dahlin of Paris, Justin (Anne) Lechwar of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, Chelsea Claire (Kevin) Hoffman of Morton, Illinois, Andrew Dahlin of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Brandon Dahlin of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Connor Dahlin of Cashmere, Washington. In addition, Betty is survived by eight great-grandchildren, Lily Mae Dahlin and Jean-Jacques Dahlin both of Chicago, Briggs Garrett Dahlin of Paris, Jenna Nicole Lechwar and James Robert Lechwar both of Lake Saint Louis, Owen Daniel Hoffman of Morton, and Heidi Abigail Ertz and Gretchen Emmaleigh Ertz both of Weaverville. She is also survived by four nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

For those who wish, the family suggests that memorials be made to Life’s Journey Senior Living, 705 Kenton Street, Paris, Illinois 61944.

SERVICE INFORMATION

According to her wishes, no public services are planned. Interment will be private at a later date. Templeton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.