Betty Jean Dunn

Betty Jean Dunn (nee Hartman), age 100, passed away peacefully at her home in New Lenox on Friday, March 18th, 2022 surrounded by her cherished family and friends.

Betty is survived by her three beloved daughters, Judy Niemann-VanderVeen, Faye Craighead, & Gale (Dale) Volkerding; grandchildren, Sarah (Mike) O'Donovan, Emily (Ryan Robleske) Volkerding, Anne Rose (Bryan) Sechrist, & Holly Volkerding; great-grandchildren Jeffrey (Chelsea) Niemann, Parker (fiancé Lauren Catrone) Niemann, Thomas O'Donovan, Julia O'Donovan, Catherine O'Donovan, Brady Robleske, & Riley Robleske; great-great-grandchild Mary Elizabeth Niemann; & sister, Marilyn Viano.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Donald Dunn; parents, Frank & Olga (nee Voight) Hartman; brother, Frank Hartman; grandchildren, Keith Niemann & Andrew Craighead; & son-in-law Edward VanderVeen.

Betty was born on January 1st, 1922, in Gruver, Iowa and grew up in Lockport, IL where she would eventually meet her husband and love of her life Donald and start a family. Relocating to New Lenox in 1950, Betty would go on to become a true pillar of the community. A proud member of the Trinity Lutheran Church & New Lenox's Chamber of Commerce for over 60 years, Betty also contributed to the community by serving on the New Lenox Library Board, the New Lenox Band Boosters, and Trinity Lutheran Church's Chancel Guild. Betty also had an entrepreneurial spirit, from raising chickens & selling fresh laid eggs from her farm, to owning her own real estate brokerage, and even starting the Lincoln Way Area Business Women's Organization. She worked as a Realtor for over 60 years, working for Vic Scott & Associates for 35 years before opening Dunn & Niemann Real Estate with her daughter Judy, which they co-owned together for over 25 years. Winning several Realtor of the Year awards from multiple organizations, it was said that she had sold every home in New Lenox at least once. Throughout her life, she never lost sight of her family, taking a vital role in raising several generations. Beloved by so many, Betty would also go on to be New Lenox's Woman of the Year in the '90s along with the Lifetime Chamber Award in 2012. She was a true embodiment of what it meant to be a strong and inspiring woman.

Betty was cared for wonderfully by her loving daughter Judy along with help from countless friends, family, and caretakers, notably, Natalie, Colleen, Mary and Louise.

Services for Betty will begin on Sunday, March 27th, 2022 at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Rd. in New Lenox, from 2pm-6pm. A short visitation will be held the following day, Monday, March 28th, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 N. Cedar Road in New Lenox, from 10:30am until the time of the funeral service at 11am. Betty will be laid to rest at Maplewood Cemetery next to her cherish husband Donald. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in New Lenox in Betty’s name.