Tri-County News

Betty Ann Zwilling Cichon, 82


Betty Ann Zwilling Cichon died Sunday, May 9, 2021, at her home near Upsala. She was 82.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 17, at Annunciation Catholic Church in Mayhew Lake with Rev. Thomas Knoblach officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids, and one hour prior to the services Monday at the church. Christian Mothers will pray at 7:30 p.m. Sunday followed by parish prayers, at the funeral home.

Betty Ann was born Jan. 31, 1939, in Pearl Lake, to Peter and Caroline (Keppers) Theisen, the youngest of their 13 children. She married Francis “Sunny” Zwilling in Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pearl Lake on April 24, 1958; he preceded her in death in 1997. Betty again found love with Jerome “Jerry” Cichon, and they married May 10, 2003, at Our Lady of Lourdes in Little Falls. Betty and Jerry lived their days together in Little Falls until his passing in 2011. Growing up, Betty was preparing herself to be a nun, to commit to God under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. However, once Sunny returned from his military duty, she chose to serve God through the Sacrament of Marriage. The joy and mutual support of married love to serve others was a source of strength which enabled her to become a source of life, hope, and comfort to their children and others.

Betty and Sunny were blessed with 13 children. Living and raising their children on a dairy farm, and later the poultry farm, Betty lived a full life as a devoted and hard-working wife, mother, and homemaker. She was most passionate about her family and her Catholic faith. Many of her most treasured moments were those spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and step-family. Grounded by her desire to serve the Lord, she lived her faith and led by example. She was a dedicated member of Christian Mothers and Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She served many years teaching CCD classes, and she enjoyed her numerous volunteer hours helping and serving others. In her spare time, she loved playing card games, dancing, and playing checkers with her grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Francis Zwilling and Jerome Cichon, infant son Jeffrey Zwilling, grandsons Anthony Zwilling and Ryan Toenyan, great-granddaughter Stella Rae Ruegemer, and six brothers and five sisters.

She is survived by her children Mary Beth Zwilling of Broken Arrow, Okla., Lori Ann Zwilling of Little Falls, Mark (and Mary Jo) Zwilling of Foley, Chuck (and Tammy) Zwilling of Little Falls, Brian Zwilling of Bertha, Nita Zwilling of Rice, Janet Zwilling of Jenkins, Ken Zwilling (and Jen Chandler) of Roscoe, Ill., Dan Zwilling of Sauk Rapids, Kari (and Ervin) Hartung of Burtrum, Jason (and Jenny) Zwilling of Sauk Rapids, Sarah (and Jason) Toenyan of Freeport; 43 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren; and brother Jim (and Norlene) Theisen.

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