Elizabeth “Betty” Kreher, nee Langenhorst, 91, of Freeburg, IL, died peacefully Friday, June 27, 2025, at Freeburg Care Center surrounded by her family. Betty was a cherished member of our community, known for her thoughtfulness, unwavering kindness, boundless generosity, and the warmth she brought to all who knew her.
Betty was born on November 4, 1933, in Germantown, IL to Cecilia, nee Schniers and Frank Langenhorst. From a young age, she exhibited a passion for caring for her many brothers and sisters. Her dedication and hard work earned her the respect and admiration of all who met her.
In her personal life, Betty was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a good friend to many. She enjoyed sewing, needlepoint and quilted hundreds of quilts. She was always eager to share her passion for sewing with others. In her later years she was quite the crafts person where she lived. She worked at St. Peter’s Cathedral Grade School for 17 years as a cafeteria cook and loved feeding all of those kids! She also spent time working in her son Dean’s Subway in Millstadt, IL. Betty loved to polka dance and talked Norvin into joining a polka club and went to dances often. St. Louis Cardinal Baseball was also a favorite pastime. She enjoyed several trips to Florida for Spring Training.
She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 58 years, Norvin L. Kreher, whom she married on August 22, 1956, and who died on July 29, 2014; a daughter, Diane M. Carel; two grandchildren, Allison Kreher and Kyle Carel; her parents, Frank and Cecilia, nee Schniers, Langenhorst; four brothers, Gerald (Rita), Herbert, Dan, and Marcel Langenhorst; a sister, Margaret (George) Diaber; and a grand son-in-law, Hawkin Tolle.
Surviving are his two sons and a daughter, Dale (Melinda) Kreher of Omaha, NE, Deborah (Gary) Pierce of Freeburg, IL, and Dean Kreher of St. Louis, MO; a son-in-law, Ken Carel of Belleville, IL; 12 grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Dillner of Abilene, KS, Danielle (Joe) Selzle of Omaha, NE, Jared (Brandy) Kreher of Omaha, NE, Elizabeth (Brandon) Vacek of Omaha, NE, Darren (Kristin) Pierce of Freeburg, IL, Wesley (Amber) Pierce of St. Charles, MO, Ted (Shannah) Pierce of Millstadt, IL, Lyssa Tolle of Belleville, IL,
Konnor Carel (fiancée, Kaitlyn Fredrick) of Belleville, IL, and Amanda, Samantha, and Jacob Kreher of Millstadt, IL; 22 great-grandchildren, Thomas, Michael and Ethan Dillner; Payton, Cooper, Whitney, Ben, Grace, Maree, Chayce, Madison, Cecelia & Blakely Pierce; Lucas & Paige Tolle; Grace, Evelyn, Henry and Charles Selzle; Fritz Kreher; and William and Sophia Vacek. six brothers, Franklin (Shirley), Jim, Tom (Julie), Jerome, Joe (Mary Sue) and Vernon; a sister, Darlene; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Cathedral and American Heart Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Andrew Knopik officiating.
Burial will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
