Memorial

Elizabeth "Betty" Weiland (née Sweet), a resident of The Woodlands at Methwick Communities, died Saturday, July 25, in Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom on Friday, July 31, from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., where a vigil service will begin at 4:00 p.m.   A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m., followed by a private burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Betty was born Feb. 15, 1933, in Minneapolis, Minn. She graduated from the College of St. Benedict with a Bachelor of Arts in education in May 1954. She and Jerry married three months later on Aug. 7, 1954, in Mason City, Iowa. Betty taught school for one year until the birth of her first child. After Jerry's service in the U.S. Army took the family to England and Arkansas, they settled in Cedar Rapids, where Jerry established his dental practice of 40 years and they raised their eight children. Betty was a long-time member of St. Matthew Catholic Church.

Betty spent her life taking care of others. Raised as an only child, she said nothing delighted her more than being blessed with a large family. Throughout their more than 60-year marriage, Betty and Jerry shared a deep and abiding love, mutual respect, and unique sense of humor that still serves as a Blueprint to their children and grandchildren to this day. As a devoted homemaker, Betty created a warm, loving environment, nurturing her family with her smile, her gentle touch, and her delicious meals. No one was a bigger fan of her creations than her beloved Jerry, who always said he never ate better than when he ate at home. Betty was always waiting with a baked treat and a listening ear when her kids got home from school. She was celebrated for the homemade pies and holiday cinnamon swirl bread that she readily shared with friends and neighbors over the years. She worked tirelessly to provide her family with the emotional and physical support they needed, and she consistently welcomed a steady stream of visitors and guests into her home and around her crowded table. Betty continued to foster this hospitality and unconditional love with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always greeted them with a big hug and her signature gap-toothed smile.

Betty is survived by her children Anne (Wayne) Sharp of St. Louis; Mary (John) Bredl of Hudson, Wis.; Walter (Laura) Weiland of Rockwood, Mich.; Joseph (Karen) Weiland of East Point, Ga.; Thomas (Gina) Weiland of Cedar Rapids; John (Cindy) Weiland of Cedar Rapids; Liz (Jim) Efting of Cedar Rapids; and Nancy (Jeff) Erickson of Overland Park, Kan.

She is also survived by 21 grandchildren: Allison (Brad) Herndon, Michael (Lauren) Sharp, Elizabeth (Jeremy) Kirkland, Nicholas Bredl, Anna Bredl, Benjamin Bredl, Matt (Victoria) Weiland, Sarah (Devin) Shea, Haley (Ryan) Robinson, Elizabeth Claire Weiland, Gretchen (Alex) Edwards, Anna (Andrew) Ulveling, Kathryn (Chris) Creery, Heidi (Matt Minor) Weiland, Ethan Weiland, Maria Efting, Annie Efting, John Efting, Luke Efting, Jerry Erickson, and Henry Erickson; and 10 great-grandchildren: Lucy, Gus, Sam, Annie, Evelyn, Ruby, Harriet, Russell, Leona, and Amelia.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Jeruld; parents Clifford Skillrud and Walter and Irene Sweet; and grandson William Jeruld Efting.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus of Cedar Rapids or the charity of your choice.