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Betty Louise Roeder, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and teacher, passed away peacefully Oct. 3, 2024, at the age of 80.
Memorial services will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller. Visitation will be held from 12:30-2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements.
Betty was born and raised in Commerce, Texas, where her love for teaching and sharing that passion with others began. It was in Texas that she also met the love of her life, Harlan Roeder, with whom she shared a lifetime of joy and adventure. Their love took her to Schaller, a community she cherished her entire life.
Betty (Mrs. Roeder) devoted her entire career to teaching, touching countless lives and inspiring generations of students with her humor and love — not to mention her hundreds of glasses and thousands of outfits. Her dedication to her students went far beyond the classroom; she saw each of them as part of her extended family, nurturing them with patience, kindness and an open heart.
Beyond the classroom, Betty was very involved in her community participating in the Chamber of Commerce, Non-Ame, Bosom Buddies, Red Hats, cheerleading, dance and much more. She loved Pop Corn Days, all things Texas, RAGBRAI, Halloween and never missed an episode of Dancing with the Stars.
Betty's greatest joy was her family. She was a proud and loving mother to her two children, Shannon and Paul, who brought immense light to her life. She also cherished her Aunt Rheba Icenhower and her sister Linda Harper, who was not only her closest confidante, but also her best friend and frequent travel companion on memorable cruises around the world for more than 30 years. Wherever they went, the two were dressed alike from head to toe, sparking endless embarrassment for their children, but the adoration of everyone else.
Above all, Betty's love for her husband, Harlan, was her greatest love. Their bond was a testament to true love — a partnership that began with a blind date and turned into 50 years of good times and endless support for one another. Together, they built a life that will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
Betty leaves behind her husband Harlan; her children, Shannon Flynn and Paul Roeder; sister Linda Harper; brother-in-law Larry Don Harper; brother-in-law Jim Roeder; sister-in-law Mary Jo Coats; sister-in-law Marianne Helming; nieces, Leslie Harper Stonestreet and Lauren Taylor; nephews: Devin and Stuart Helming; Alex Rhodes; and so many others she loved so much.
She was preceded in death by her parents Maurice and Evelyn “Jane” Martin; her aunt Rheba Icenhower; uncle Harry Icenhower; uncle Harold Martin; son-in-law Ross Flynn; and her brothers-in-law, Ronnie Helming and Bill Gass.
Betty will be deeply missed but forever remembered for her kind heart, her love of all things pink, and her dedication to her family, friends and community, as well as the warm hugs she gave to everyone she encountered.
