Lillian Edna Wedekind
Oct. 24, 1921-Feb. 10, 2011
Santa Rosa, California

California native Lillian E. "Betty" Wedekind has died at the age of 89. She was raised in Berkeley, Calif., by parents Lillian Edna (Songey) and Leo John Flaker. Betty graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1942. She was married in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 4, 1942, to Oswald G. "Wally" Wedekind of New York.

Betty and Wally spent the early years of their marriage on U.S. Army bases in Kentucky and Missouri where Wally was stationed. Eldest son, John, was born in New York while Betty stayed with Wally's parents. Jeanie, Steve and Carol were born after the couple settled in California, eventually settling in Palo Alto and remaining residents for some 40 years.

While raising four children, Betty pursued her interests singing in the church choir, soloing, playing the piano, sewing clothes for herself and her children, dabbling in painting and providing home-cooked meals for her family. As the children grew and began leaving home, she earned her credentials and taught nursery school for about 10 years. She and Wally traveled the world during their retirement years and enjoyed their growing brood of grandchildren.

Wally, her husband of 47 years, and son, Stephen G. Wedekind, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Jean E. Cox of Honolulu, Hawaii; sister, Judy Ann Edmonston (husband Scott) of Salem, S.C.; son, John A. Wedekind of Llano, Texas; daughter, Jean E. Wedekind (husband Richard Doleman) of Forestville, Calif.; daughter, Carol S. Merrell (husband Ed) of Gilroy, Calif.; grandchildren, Sandra C. DeKreek (husband Todd) of Folsom, Calif.; David J. Wedekind (wife Andi) of San Bernardino, Calif.; Stephen Troy Wedekind (wife Cheryl) of Weiser, Idaho; Lisa R. Wedekind of Sonora, Calif.; Eric J. Merrell (wife Ramona) of Rosemead, Calif.; Lindsey K. Caudill (husband Cory) of Austin, Texas; Jesse S. Merrell of Pasadena, Calif.; and 11 great-grandchildren.