Elizabeth Jean (Donovan) Levi was born on Jan. 10, 1941, to Gerald and Beverly (Peklo) Donovan in Omaha. She was the second of four children, with her brother Chuck, and two younger sisters Kathy and Deb. She passed away Oct. 29, 2022, at her home in Lyons, surrounded by her loving family.
Elizabeth “Betty” graduated from Cathedral High School and attended coursework in Home Economics at Duchesne College. On Dec. 12, 1963, she married Jerry Levi in Omaha. She was a superb cook, seamstress and avid bridge player. Throughout her life, her top priority was her husband and family, first and foremost. Betty and her husband Jerry raised four children, encouraging each one to be their best, unique selves. When her children were young, she volunteered many hours with Camp Fire Girls and St. Pius X / St. Leo’s grade school. In her mid-life, she built a strong alterations business including extensive custom, tailored projects. Betty designed and constructed six wedding dresses for her daughters, sister and granddaughter. Each dress, exquisite works of art, required a year or more to construct. Betty and Jerry spent most of their married life in Omaha, relocating to Lyons in 2010.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry Levi; four children: Mary Kay Razminas of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Beverly and Mark Bettendorf of Wahoo, Ann and Steve Schlichting of Lyons, Gerald and Tara Levi of Omaha; two sisters: Kathy Sprague of Omaha, NE, and Deb Varljen (Pete) of Marrietta, GA; two sisters-in-law: Rosemary Donovan of Loveland, Colo., and Pat Levi of San Diego, Calif.; 9 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Bettendorf) and her husband Nathan Bowman of Kansas City, Mo., Thomas Bettendorf of Wahoo, Joseph Bettendorf of Fremont, Amelia (Schlichting) and her husband Morgan Phillips of Fort Wayne, Ind., Caleb, Andrew, and Elijah Schlichting of Lyons, Jesse and Harley Levi of Omaha; two great-grandchildren: Evalynn Bettendorf and Eleanor Bowman, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial Mass, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons.
Memorial Visitation, Thursday, 5 to 7 p.m., Rosary, 7 p.m. at all at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lyons.
Memorials directed to Hope Lodge (American Cancer Society), 8030 Farnam Dr., Omaha, NE 68114
Arrangements by Pelan Funeral Services. www.pelanfuneralservices.com
