Betty Rae (Korte) Neicamp

Betty Rae Neicamp

MARION – Betty Rae (Korte) Neicamp, 85, of Marion, passed away peacefully with her family near, Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at The Landings Senior Living Facility in Batavia, IL.

She was born on her grandparents’ farm near Round Knob, IL, on August 10, 1936, the daughter of Mary Helen Krueger.  She attended a one-room schoolhouse nearby before moving into town where she attended Metropolis High School on North Avenue.  This is where she met her future husband, Henry Charles Neicamp.  He too traveled a parallel path, born on his parents’ farm, attending a different one-room schoolhouse on Round Springs Rd.

Betty excelled at academics and was very active in clubs, plays, and cheerleading.  She was also the 1954 Homecoming Queen.  While taking care of her aging grandmother, Hattie Krueger, and going to school, Betty also worked.  Her first job was at (Mildred) Smith’s Café.  She also worked at the Chase and Foreman Law Office and was a waitress at the well-known Wade’s 66 Inn.

She married Henry Charles Neicamp on Sept. 3, 1955, in Corinth, Mississippi.  They built a home on the Lake of Egypt in Marion, IL, where they raised their four children.  They spent five years in Danville, IL, while Henry worked at the local power plant.  Upon retiring, they spent their final years at their beloved lake home often referred to as “Maw Maw and Paw Paw’s Resort”.  Their kids and grandkids visited often and enjoyed “making memories” together. Betty was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Metropolis.  She was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ in Marion, IL.

Betty is survived by her four children - Henry August (Donna) Neicamp of O’Fallon, IL, Madonna Neicamp (Gary) Steele of St. Charles, IL, Shane (Annette) Neicamp of Huntsville, AL, and Kevin (Billie Jo) Neicamp of Duncansville, PA; eight grandchildren – Leanne Neicamp (Dan) Simmons, Emily Steele (Tom) Davidson, Robyn Neicamp (Nolan) Ryan, Ben Steele, Allie Neicamp, Sydney Neicamp, Bradley Neicamp, and Taylor Neicamp; and one great grandchild - Connor Simmons.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Helen Speck, her husband, Henry Charles Neicamp, a grandson, Shane Austin Neicamp, and a half-brother, Tony Speck.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Binkley Ross Funeral Home in Marion.  Funeral Services will immediately follow at 12:00pm, with Pastor John Holst officiating.  Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Marion, IL.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children.