Jerome Bettag

Jerome L. Bettag, M.D., age 87, died on Sept 19, 2024.

He was born April 5, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to Otto and Alyce (Lechty) Bettag.  

Jerry graduated from St. George High School in Chicago, the University of Iowa, and Chicago Medical School. 

On October 28, 1961, he married Char Vogel in Grinnell, Iowa.  They were married for almost 63 years.

In 1967, he served in the Navy in Port Hueneme, California.  He was discharged in 1969, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

He returned to Chicago and completed his residency at Hines VA Hospital.

In 1971, he was hired as the first anesthesiologist at Delnor Hospital in St. Charles, Illinois, where he worked until 1987.

One of the greatest joys in his life was working with a group of physicians to establish the first free-standing surgery center in the State of Illinois, Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center.  He worked there until his retirement in 2010.

Jerry enjoyed fishing in Canada, hiking and skiing in Colorado, and spending time with his family and friends at their home in Door County, Wisconsin.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Charlene; Children Larry (Michelle), Mark (Teresa), Linda (Scott), Eric (Joan), and Matthew (Stephanie); 14 grandsons, 13 granddaughters, four great-grandchildren with one more on the way; 2 sisters Alyce (Bill) Moloney and Barbara Ann Portschy and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Yurs Funeral Home, 405 E Main St., St. Charles, from 4-7 pm on Thursday, September 26. A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 6N491 Crane Road, St. Charles, at 10:30 am, Friday, September 27, with Monsignor Daniel Deutsch officiating. Burial will be at Prairie Cemetery immediately following.

Donations may be made to Wounded Warriors or the Guardian Angel Fund at St. Patrick Catholic School.