Betty Lou Damratowski

Betty Lou Damratowski, 85, of Elkhorn, formerly of Grand Island, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Country House Residence in Elkhorn.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Grand Island. The Revs. Tim Stoner and Mark Maresh will celebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island.

Visitation will be Monday, April 21, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, with a 7 p.m. vigil service.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Betty was born on Dec. 20, 1939, along with her twin sister, Bonnie, to Harry and Sally Ann (Kaminski) Smedra at Rockville. She received her education in Sherman County Schools and graduated from Loup City High School. She then attended dental assistant school in Grand Island.

She was united in marriage to Harold E. Damratowski on June 18, 1960, in Loup City. The couple first lived in Grand Island where Betty worked in various dental offices. In 1972, the couple moved to an acreage near Alda.

Betty was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Grand Island and was a former member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wood River. She was also a member of the Platt-Duetsche and the Grand Island Saddle Club.

She enjoyed gardening, cooking and quilting.

She is survived by her children, Peggy Zurek of Omaha, Jeff and Linda Damratowski of Dannebrog, and Lorie and Mark Alexander of Grand Island; 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Bonnie and Dennis Piontkowski of Bennington.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold on June 2, 2012; son, Randy Damratowski; parents; sister, Helen Roy; and 2 grandchildren.