Betty J Cronican

Elizabeth Jean Young was born on February 3, 1938, in Omaha, Nebraska to Thomas and Dorothy Young. Betty, as she was known, had an older sister, Patricia. Betty graduated from Holy Name School in 1956. Betty married Don Meinershagen in 1959. They had three children, David (Rebecca), Debra (Scott) and Denise. After Betty and Don divorced in 1976, Betty went to work for Rickerson and Welch, which began a long and successful career as a legal secretary. In 1979, Betty joined the firm of Kutak Rock, and worked with the likes of Sen. Roman Hruska, Sen. David Karnes, Rik Bonness and Robert Coon. She retired 27 years later.



Betty was a founding team member of Beginning Experience (BE), a support group, through the Catholic Church, for Separated, Divorced and Widowed persons. She was also a founding member for the associated youth support group, Young Adult Beginning Experience (YABE). Betty served many years with the YWCA, as a crisis hotline volunteer.

It was through BE, that Betty met Len Cronican, whom she would marry in 1986. Betty became step-mom to Lenny’s eight kids. They were married for 20 years until Lenny’s death in 2006.



In 1992, Betty took up her life’s passion, quilting, and never looked back.



Betty has three grandchildren, Brian and his wife, Brittany and Dustin. She also has three step-grandchildren, Matt, Andrew and Emma.



In 2016, Betty was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia/Alzheimer’s. Throughout this 6-year journey, she met every challenge with resiliency, humor and love.



Preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Cronican. Survived by her children, David (Rebecca) Meinershagen, Debra (Scott) Andersen, Denise Meinershagen; grandchildren, Matthew Baker, Andrew Baker, Emma Kemp, Brian (Brittany) Andersen, Dustin Andersen; stepchildren, Dennis Cronican, Karen Cronican, Michele Kemp, David Cronican, Christopher Cronican, Julia Davis, Lenette Cronican, Bernadette Cronican; also loved by other family and friends.



FUNERAL MASS Wednesday, 10:30am St. Pius X Catholic Church with interment Calvary Cemetery.



VISITATION begins Tuesday, after 6pm at the 72nd Street Chapel with a Wake Service at 7:00pm.



In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities.