Betty A. Loontjer

Betty Anna Frieda Loontjer of Deshler, the daughter of George and Anna (Kniep) Kuhlmann, was born January 28, 1923, at rural Byron. She departed this life on September 10, 2019, at Thayer County Health Services in Hebron, at the age of 96 years 7 months and 13 days. She was baptized February 11, 1923, at St Peter Lutheran Church, rural Byron. She was confirmed July 12, 1936, at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Deshler. Betty grew up in the Byron area and attended District 64 School through 8th grade. Betty was not able to attend high school because her parents couldn't take her the five miles to town every day, so instead they bought her a piano and she took lessons. She spent many hours playing beautiful music. True love came to call when Betty met Arnold Loontjer. They were married April 28, 1946, at St Paul Lutheran, Byron, NE. To this union five children were born: Wayne, Kenneth, Gary, Janice and Russell. Betty was a farmer's wife through and through. They took pride in all they had. They sold the farm and moved to Deshler in 1980 and loved their new home. Together they were avid gardeners and loved taking items to the Thayer County Fair. Betty earned the title of Top Canned Goods exhibitor for 4 years in a row. Betty held offices in the Bethlehem, Kiowa and St Peter, Deshler Ladies Aid, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a proud member of the Betty Club of Nebraska. She and Arnold belonged to the Spring Creek Swingers square dance club for many years. One of Betty's greatest loves was quilting. She handmade 137 quilts for people across the United States. She made a quilt for each of her grandchildren. She loved reading, playing cards, word search puzzles, cooking, baking, canning and gardening. She loved spending time with her family. Oh, how she loved those grandchildren and great- grandchildren! In August of 2015, Betty moved to Parkview Haven Nursing Home in Deshler and resided there until her death.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, husband Arnold in 1993, sons Wayne and Kenneth; granddaughters Kimberly, Andrea and Elissa Loontjer; brother Clarence, brother Edgar Kuhlmann and wife Blanche, sister Elsie and husband Richard Meyer, sister Marcella Craig, and brother-in-law Pete Denzin. Those left to cherish her memory include her children; Gary and wife Sue Loontjer, Janice and husband Everett Braun, Russell and wife Toni Loontjer; daughters-in-law, Jackie Loontjer, Marcia and husband Wayne Mueller; sister, Ilene Denzin; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren plus one on the way! Nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of family and friends.

Betty's wish for us all is to "Stay in the Faith".