Betty Jean (Delcorio) Mate'

Betty Jean Mate' of Aitkin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2024, at the age of 87. Born April 23, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, she was the beloved daughter of Elsie and Guy Delcorio and cherished sister to her late brother, Guy Delcorio, and her surviving brother, Robert Delcorio.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Joseph Mate'. They met in 1957 during a double date. They fell in love and later married at the Cook County Courthouse on March 29, 1958. The couple renewed their wedding vows at the Evangelical and Reformed Church and again at a Catholic church in Michigan City, Indiana. Betty and Ronald began their life together in Michigan Shores, Indiana, later moving to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and finally settling in Aitkin, Minnesota, where they raised their family. They were married for 56 years.

Betty leaves behind her children: Audrey Markiewicz of Aitkin; Scott Mate' of Aitkin; Teresa Kingsley (Jim Kingsley) of Baxter; Matthew Mate' (Jennifer Mate') of Forest Lake; Nicole Wilson (Daniel Wilson) of Pinon Hills, CA.  She was the proud grandmother of: Anthony Mate', Ashley Mate', Brian Kingsley, Joel Kingsley, Ethan Mate', Wyatt Mate', Jessica Wilson, Daniel Wilson, Nicholas Wilson. And great-grandmother of Everly Kingsley.

Betty’s life was filled with creativity and dedication. A graduate of Bowen High School in Chicago, she excelled in academics and the arts, ranking in the top 10 of her class. Her passion for art led her to study clothing pattern design at the Art Institute of Chicago, a pursuit she continued with the Aitkin Knit Wits machine-knitting group.

Throughout her life, Betty found joy in painting, from early childhood to her involvement with artist communities in Michigan City and Calgary. She was a longtime member of the Calgary Artist League and later painted with local artists at the Jaques Art Center in Aitkin. Known for her vibrant works in oil, acrylic, and mixed media, Betty was particularly drawn to creating clown-themed paintings. She also explored ceramics, crafting one-of-a-kind pottery with her daughter, Audrey.

A gifted musician, Betty played the clarinet and violin in high school and later taught accordion and guitar lessons while in Canada. She played guitar at St. James Church, performed with her children, and was a dedicated clarinetist in the Aitkin Community Band for many decades. She also played violin with the Great River Strings community orchestra in Aitkin, sharing her love of music with her community.

Professionally, Betty was a co-owner and bookkeeper for Makit Drafting Service from the 1980s through the 2000s, working with her husband, Ronald. In the 1980’s she also worked as a nurse’s aide at Aicota Nursing Home in Aitkin, where her kindness and compassion touched many.

Betty's life was one of dedication to family, artistry, and community. Her memory lives on through her family, her art, her music, and the lives she touched.

A service celebrating Betty's life will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11 AM in St. James Catholic Church, Aitkin with Father Michael Patullo officiating.  Interment will be in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, Aitkin.  To leave a message of condolence, please visit: www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.

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