Allen Bettenhausen

A Memorial Mass for Allen W. Bettenhausen of Mountain Home will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, May 8, 2010 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00 P.M., Friday, May 7, 2010 at Kirby & Family Funeral Home with a Vigil Service at 7:00 P.M. Allen passed away May 5, 2010 at Baxter Regional Medical Center at the age of 79. He was born September 30, 1930 at Tinley Park, Illinois the son of Irvin and Marie Bettenhausen. He married Adele Gauthier on May 26, 1951 at Blue Island, IL. He was a member of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus. Allen was a strong, steady, dedicated husband, supportive in every way, through 59 fun filled years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, always putting his family first and loved spending time with them. The best times were at the lake entertaining on the pontoon boat, racing to his favorite family cove. He attended all of his children and grandchildren?s graduations and traveled to all of their sporting events. Allen was an enthusiastic fan. He enjoyed playing teacher, doctor and building tents with Madison. He enjoyed working in the yard with flowers and shrubbery, helping his neighbors, golfing with his buddies, Joe, Art and Herman, playing cards and eating cream puffs and homemade goodies. He was God?s faithful servant. He gave thanks to God continually for the abundant blessings that God bestowed upon all those he loved. He especially looked forward to the peaceful prayer time that he and his wife joined in weekly. He studied the Bible and daily lived the lessons the Bible gives as an example of how we should all live our lives, as Disciples of Christ. Allen is survived by his wife, Adele, 6 children, David (Gail) Bettenhausen of Mountain Home, AR, Donald (Susan) Bettenhausen of Tinley Park, IL, Steven (Kathy) Bettenhausen of Mountain Home, AR, Janet (Rick) Schmeski of Mountain Home, AR, Scott (Mary) Bettenhausen of Chicago Ridge, IL and Gary (Debra) Bettenhausen of New Lenox, IL, 11 grandchildren, Kerry, Keith, Joe, Tricia, Brock, Amber, Jackie and Kelly Bettenhausen, Jason, Rick and Brett Schmeski, 9 great-grandchildren, Chandler, Shelby, Wyatt, Wells and Landon Bettenhausen, Madison Schmeski, Liam Chatten, Joe Spiess, and Eleanor Fletcher. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters, Betty Johnson and Phyllis Maloney. Entombment will be in Kirby?s Tucker Memorial Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation. Arrangements are by Kirby & Family Funeral and Cremation Services.