Betty Jean Spilger

The Phonograph-Herald | February 19, 2025

Betty Jean Spilger of Grand Island passed away Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 14th, at the Berean Bible Church in Grand Island, with Pastor Jim Reynolds officiating. A private burial will take place later at the Grand Island 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 until 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. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.