Betty Rettmann was born Elizabeth Victoria Crawford in Allen County near Humboldt, Kansas to Herman and Victoria (VanNice) Crawford. She is the oldest of nine children. Three died very young. She grew up with two sisters and three brothers.
Her first year of school she lived in town with an aunt. She then attended a one-room school in DeWitt through the eighth grade.
Her family moved to Texas in 1936. In 1940 she graduated from Cayuga High School. She attended Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, Texas. She graduated from Pittsburg State Teachers College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. She pursued further study at Ottawa University earning a Masters Degree from Kansas University in 1961.
She taught for two years at Apple Pie Elementary School in rural Douglas County. The school was situated among apple orchards. On opening day many apple pies were brought to celebrate, hence Apple Pie School. Then she taught two years at Overbrook country school. She returned to Humboldt and taught third grade for forty years in the elementary school.
Betty was a member of Grace Southern Baptist Church in Iola, Kansas. She met her husband, Alvin, at church. They were married in 1970. They had almost twenty eight years together, good happy years. He passed away in 1998. Betty said that God has faithfully helped her throughout her journey of life. Jesus is her helper.
In addition to her husband, Alvin, other members of Bettys family awaiting her in Heaven include; sisters, Lavonne Her, who was six at her death, Charlotte Irene, infant; brother, Rufus Herman Crawford Jr. (infant).
Those remaining who love and remember her are; brother,s, Richard, Joseph "Joe" & Carol Crawford, Flord & Roberta "Bobbie" Crawford; sisters, Neva & Charles "Chick" Stout, Lola Mae Colburn.
A Funeral Service will be held at Bettys home church of Grace Southern Baptist in Iola, Kansas this Friday, July 17, 2009.
Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at DeWitt Cemetery, Humboldt, Kansas.
To honor the life of Elizabeth V. "Betty" Rettmann, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in her name to Grace Southern Baptist Church, 214 W. Maple Avenue, Iola, Kansas 66749.