ELIZABETH “BETTY” DONAHUE-HENRIKSEN, ROCKFORD – Elizabeth “Betty” L. (Fischer) Donahue-Henriksen, 92, passed away on 1/17/2021 at Wesley Willows. She was born on June 30, 1928 in Stamford, Connecticut; the daughter of Robert and Mary (Bosiljevac) Fischer. Her brother, Robert “Bob” (Loraine) Fischer, Jr., died in 2015. Betty graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Dietetics and also earned a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in Education. She retired after a 20-year career as a kindergarten teacher at Summerdale Elementary in the Rockford Public School District. She was a member of the Rockford Alumnae of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, Rockford Civic Newcomers Club, and a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Betty enjoyed playing bridge, golf, tennis, and many other activities. She was a NCAA Champion Archer while at UConn. You would always find Betty upfront rooting for all her children in their active athletic and school endeavors.
Betty married Francis “Frank” H. Donahue, Sr. on August 8, 1953 in Stamford, Connecticut. They raised their five children together in Rockford. Frank succumbed from complications related to ALS in 1991.
She remarried to John “Jack” Henriksen on April 24, 1993, in Rockford. He predeceased her in 2010.
Betty is survived by her five children, two stepchildren, 11 grandchildren, one step-grandchild, eight great-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandchild, Children: Francis Jr. “Chip” (Kathie) Donahue of Sterling, Tim (Anne) Donahue of Powell, Ohio, Jill (Donahue) Detlof of Rockton, Chris (Kelly) Donahue of Akron, Ohio, Greg (Susan) Donahue of Downers Grove. Stepchildren: Liz Henriksen of West Burlington, Iowa, John (Diane) Henriksen of Roscoe. Donahue Grandchildren: Tyler (Amanda), Colton, Heather, Craig (Lauren), Patty (Matt) Rust, Charlie Detlof, Jenna Detlof, Katherine (James) Eck, Ryan, Patrick (Jessica), Michael. Henriksen Step-Grandchild: Nicole (Kevin) Muhs. Donahue Great-Grandchildren: Martin, Joseph, Nolan, David, Nathan, Jacob, Addison Rust, Maren Rust. Henriksen Step-Great-Grandchild: Wesley Muhs.
Private service at her final resting place in Scandinavian Cemetery. Memorials to Westminster Presbyterian Church 2821 N. Bell School Road, Rockford, IL 61107. Arrangements by Sundberg Funeral Home Ltd., 215 N. Sixth St., Rockford, IL 61107.
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