Betty Dufour died peacefully in her home on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mendota with Pastor Elise Rothfusz officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral in the church.

Betty Zinke Dufour was born on November 29, 1940 in Mendota to Albert and Caroline Zinke. She attended Mendota schools and she graduated from Mendota High School in 1958.

After high school, she attended a secretarial/administrative assistant program in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She later moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked as a secretary in a law office. While living in D.C., she met her husband Gary (Mike) Dufour. They were married on October 2, 1959 in Washington D.C.

They later moved to Japan where Mike was stationed in the Navy. They welcomed their son Stephen in 1961 while living there. The family moved back to Mendota, welcomed their daughter Kathleen in 1964, and raised their family in the Mendota community.

Betty was a kind, faithful person who was incredibly hardworking. She kept her family at the center of her life, always making them laugh with her incredible sense of humor. She worked hard to achieve her goal of providing the best life for her family. Her strong will was evident in all she did. She championed the education of her son with special needs. She was a volunteer at Lighted Way Development Center for years where her son attended. She was an avid supporter of Special Olympics and Horizon House.

She later worked at Northbrook School in food service. She enjoyed being around the students and being part of the school community. She retired in May 2004. Betty was a devoted member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Mendota. She was actively involved in the church community, volunteered regularly, and loved her Rebecca Circle group. Betty lived her life with a strong faith and great devotion.

Betty is survived by her daughter Kathleen (Jay) Mueller of Peru, her granddaughter Olivia (AJ) Boucek of LaSalle, and her grandson Austin (Madison) Mueller of Westmont. She is also survived by her sister-in- laws, Barb Zinke and Diane Zinke of Mendota, along with several cherished nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Gary (Mike) Dufour, her son Stephen Dufour, and her parents Albert Zinke and Caroline Zinke Gower. She is also preceded in death by her stepfather Harry Gower, brothers Elmer Zinke and Philip Zinke, and her stepsister Alice Radtke.

Memorials may be directed to OSF Hospice of Peru, Horizon House of Peru, or St. John's Lutheran Church in Mendota.