Betty L. Johnson-Berkun, nee Smith, age 96, a former resident of Wheaton, IL, died peacefully Thursday, March 2, 2023. She was born October 3, 1926 in Chicago to Herman and Agnes Smith.

Betty was the owner and president of Bazaar Fine Imports and the Sole importer and distributor of Cafe - HAG in America and other gourmet foods.  She was also a columnist for Country Club Golfer Magazine.  She retired as National Sales Manager for Lanzi's Candy Company.

Betty met and married her first love Denis O. Johnson on June 14, 1946, and had three children Gregg, Kent, and Lorel.

Betty was an avid sailor and loved sailing season. She could often be found with her friends at the Columbia Yacht Club. Betty and Denis were original members of the sailing crew that sailed the MV Abegweit known as the Abby from Northumberland Strait in April 1983 to the Chicago Harbor where it remains "in service" today, hosting members and their guests on the scenic Chicago lakefront at the foot of Randolph Street. Attached is a link for the full voyage of the Abby from Northumberland Strait to Chicago. "Cradled on the Waves" The voyage of the MV Abegweit to Chicago.

https://youtu.be/h0IEyz1Vd2o

Betty met her second husband Irwin Berkun at her 50 ^th high school reunion and the two were wed in Italy, on November 08, 2002. Betty and Irwin celebrated their wedding party on the "Abby" and often could be found playing backgammon together while taking in a picturesque lunch overlooking Chicago's Harbor.

Betty had many hobbies including writing, in which she helped write and create a cookbook for the Columbia Yacht club, she could often be seen with a camera in hand capturing the culture and vibrant life of Chicago or whatever travels she was going on. When she had more time to spare she became a volunteer at Family Shelter Service in Glen Ellyn, specifically the Metropolitan family services. She volunteered for many years to help callers in crisis. Attached is an article from the Chicago Tribune highlighting Betty's volunteer experiences. Chicago Tribune

Most of all Betty cherished spending time with family and friends and loved having such a large blended family.

She is survived by her children, Kent Johnson, Gregg Johnson, and Lorel (Johnson) Root; her grandchildren Phillip Johnson, Jeremiah Nimmer, Raschael Cartwright, Ashley (Nimmer) Kettering, Katelyn Johnson, Rachel Medo, and Brian Root; and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Denis O. Johnson (July 27, 1993) and Irwin Berkun (December 03, 2021), her parents Agnes and Herman Smith and many other loving friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, Wheaton, where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com . For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.