Julia Elizabeth “Betty” Vahlkamp, nee Vasquez, 95, of Mascoutah, IL, born April 22, 1929, in Florissant, MO, died Friday, December 6, 2024, at home on the family farm.
Surviving polio as a child, (clobbering it, actually), Betty marched her way through life with determination and made it a mission to build others up on the path she traveled. She graduated from Gorham High School and Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
Beginning her long and storied teaching career in the one-room Vogel School in Waterloo, Mrs. Vahlkamp then moved on to St. Libory Grade School and St. Bernard Grade School in Albers, IL, and then continued to win the hearts of generations of young children through her joyous and fun spirit finally at Belleville District 118, where she rounded out her career as a beloved third grade teacher of kids who still today comment about the impact she had on their life. Years of third grade field trips included a trip to the family farmstead.
Betty was a force to be reckoned with wherever she went, and she showed much of her passion for helping others through her work as a CASA volunteer. She was an active member of BDCCW, CCW, Silver Creek Garden Club, and the St. Libory American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She joined forces with other women in the St. Clair County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, Ag in the Classroom, and Home Extension. Bus trips to the Farm Bureau Convention usually included a rolicking sing-a-long led by Betty.
She was also a long-time member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church, Fayetteville, IL, and taught PSR there for many years. Betty was a 4-H Leader, and enjoyed her time in both the Okawville and Yorktown golf leagues. She continued to stay active with the Thursday morning Tai Chi group of friends. Betty/Julie brought joy and laughter to everything she did. She passed on to her family the Vasquez mindset of togetherness and play through frequent gatherings around the card table and in the yard.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Arkell B. Vahlkamp, whom she married June 5, 1956, and who died January 22, 2016; her parents, Peter Daniel and Rosalie, nee Sills, Vasquez; 12 brothers and sisters, Rosalie (Bernard) Litteken, Joseph (Margaret) Vasquez, Eugene Vasquez, Daniel (Blanche) Vasquez, James (Emma) Vasquez, Richard (Mary Ellen) Vasquez, Dorothy (Raymond) Leinicke, Vernon (Anne) Vasquez, Anna Marie (Jim) Rodgers, Leonard (Joan) Vasquez, Norma (Jim) Bergkoetter, and Marcus Vasquez; and a daughter-in-law, Stacey Jo Vahlkamp.
Surviving are her two daughters and two sons, Denise (Darryl) Smith of Franklin, IL, Bradley (Sheri) Vahlkamp of Freeburg, IL, Kim (Dennis) Haas of Freeburg, IL, and Jeff (Kelly) Vahlkamp of Mascoutah, IL; 12 grandchildren, Wyatt (Julia) Smith, Lorraine (Cory) Hulliung, Patricia (Dennis) Vandermeersch, Heather (A.J.) Prince, Willie (Kara) Smith, Carley (Eric) Klaus, Emily Vahlkamp, Elizabeth Vahlkamp, Megan Haas, Adam Haas, Grace Vahlkamp, and Arkell J. Vahlkamp; 15 great-grandchildren, Otto, Fiona, Hunter, Sam, Audrey, Rosalie, Simon, Xander, Eva, Jackson, Raegan, Ryan, Calvin, Jacob, and Kaeley; two sisters-in-law, Joan Vasquez and Ruth Vasquez; many nieces, nephews and other family members whom she held dear to her heart.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Pancratius Cemetery, CASA, or BJC Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, December 13, 2024, at St. Liborius Catholic Church, St. Libory, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at St. Liborius Catholic Church, St. Libory, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 14, 2024, at St. Liborius Catholic Church, St. Libory, IL, with Fr. Mark Stec officiating.
Burial will follow at St. Pancratius Cemetery, Fayetteville, IL.
