Betty J. Pfad

A Funeral Mass for Betty J. Pfad (nee Niesen), 97, of Palatine, will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 12:30 pm at St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, 80 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine. The Interment will follow at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Des Plaines.

Betty was born in Chicago in 1926 to Matt and Stella Niesen. Her younger years revolved around family, sports, travel and her education in the Catholic school system. Married to Edwin in 1950, a World War II veteran and amputee, having two sons, Larry and Ken. She worked with her brother, Bob at their father’s Foreign Auto Parts store in Chicago for many years. Betty’s challenges began in 1971 when her husband, Ed, passed away due to an accidental choking. She remarried in 1975 and moved to Arkansas to raise chickens and breed quarter horses. Betty then traveled to Tyler, Texas to own and operate an office supply store. Her next big challenge was managing the kitchen at a county jail serving 35-40 meals three times a day to inmates and jailers. Betty spent some time showing dogs, specifically her Standard Poodle, Tyler. In 1991 she returned to the Chicago area and lived with her son, Ken. When Betty was accepted to St. Joseph’s Little Sisters of the Poor, she said that she felt like she was in Heaven.

And Now She Is….

Betty is survived by her son, Kenneth (Rita) Pfad; grandchildren, Stacy (Kerry) Otwaska, Britney Pfad, Courtney (Ben) Greve, Kristin Pfad; great grandchildren, Briar Otwaska, Serenity Pfad-Waddell, Trinity Pfad-Waddell, Linnea Greve and Savanna Greve.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Edwin V. Pfad; son, Larry Pfad; parents, Matt and Stella Niesen; brother, Robert Niesen; granddaughter, Lauren Pfad.

In Lieu of flowers, donations will be appreciated in Betty’s memory, to St. Joseph’s Little Sisters of the Poor, 80 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine, 60067