Opal Harrington-Schoon gave birth to My Mother, Betty, in Kankakee, IL on August 12, 1942.  Mom grew up in various homes in Southern Illinois.  Mom's parents divorced when she was very young, and she also has a paternal sister.   She left home when she was 15, and returned to Kankakee. 
Betty began working at a Steak N Shake restaurant in Kankakee.  She met Benny Blomer when she was 16.  They married in September of 1961.  She was 19.