Betty Reitz
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Betty Shawver Reitz was born to Karl and Ella Horton Shawver on December 18, 1918 in Paola, Kansas. Upon graduating from Paola High School she was educated at the University of Kansas, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta. It was there that she met the love of her life, Harry Reitz, to whom she was happily married for 75 years.
Betty was a wonderful and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a gracious, gentle, caring, welcoming and generous lady. She devoted thousands of hours of volunteer work for the Mattie Rhodes program and Research Hospital in Kansas City. She was noted for her dry wit and homemade brownies and cookies with which she entertained her guests, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Betty was a member of Village Presbyterian Church in Kansas City for over 50 years. In 2006 she and Harry moved to Eudora to be near their family. She joined Holy Family Catholic Church in 2011 and enjoyed the caring friends she met there.
Betty was preceded in death by a daughter, Jane Ann, her parents and brother. She is survived by her truly devoted husband, Harry, of Brandon Woods in Lawrence, her son and daughter-in-law Joe and Nancy Reitz of Eudora, five grandchildren, David, Chris, Elizabeth, Stephanie and Cathleen, their spouses, and twelve great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate her life will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora at 10AM, today, Wednesday, June 26. Burial to follow at the Holy Family Cemetery.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations in her name to Family Promise of Lawrence, PO Box 266, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Dear Joe, Harry and family,
All my sympathy. I’m glad to have met Betty albeit briefly and know that losing someone who has lived a long life doesn’t make it any easier – but surely you all carry her love forward.
Joe, sorry to read about the death of your mother. May you find comfort in knowing she was a child of the King, and some day you will be reunited. “Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19)
Joe: Although I was not able to attend the services this morning, I wanted to extend my sympathies to you and your family. Although we do expect these things to happen it is a tough time when it does. I look forward to doing this in person the next time we meet on the golf course. Sincerely, Jerry
Dear Joe and Nancy,
I was sorry to read about your mother’s passing. She sounds like such an outstanding woman who raised such a caring son. Married for 75 years! Wow. I know you will miss her very much and we send our love and prayers to you at this sad time.
My sympathy on the passing of your mother. It is so hard to lose a parent. Thinking of you and your family.
Sincerely.Phyllis McAdoo