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In Memory of
Elizabeth May
Shepherd
Shepherd
1922 - 2017
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Obituary for Elizabeth May Shepherd
Betty passed away on May 13, 2017 at the Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, KS. She was born on July 31, 1922, the child of John Carl and Blanche Potter. She was the second eldest of six children.
On March 8, 1947 she married Bill Shepherd and their marriage lasted nearly 63 years until his death in 2010. Betty grew up in Hanover, IL and graduated from Hanover High School in 1940. She was employed at the Savanna Army Depot until her retirement in 1970.
She was a member of the Hanover Methodist Community Church and a 50+ year member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Betty is survived by one daughter Jamie Seitz of Pine Springs, MN, one son Bill, wife Rita (Jones) Shepherd of Garden City, KS, four grandchildren (Max and Abbey Seitz, Sarah and Audrey Shepherd), sister Maxine "Mickey" Vanderheyden, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, sisters Geneva Morrison, Marcella "Tot" Kammer, Jean Geiger and brother Carl Jr. "Ed" Potter.
Visitation will be held at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Hanover, IL. on May 25 at 10:00 am with service to immediately follow at 11:00 am.
Internment will take place after the service at the Hanover Evergreen Cemetery with a luncheon afterwards at the Hanover VFW.
Betty was a hard worker, as anyone who knew her would tell you. She LOVED to dance and enjoyed many good times in her youth with her sisters and friends at the Royal Palace in Galena, II. She often spoke of the big band names she had seen there and if there was a dance somewhere, chances were good that Betty was there.
Betty and Bill enjoyed almost 40 years of retirement together and became annual snowbirds in a little town on the west coast of Florida called Aripeka. They enjoyed bingo, fishing, trips to the flea markets and even shrimping with their Florida friends. She enjoyed baking, sewing, crocheting, playing cards and just getting together with friends and family.
She was a real trooper, as they were constantly on the road with her behind the wheel. Even into her 80's, she drove to Florida, drive 6 hours to Minnesota to see her daughter Jamie's family, or drive 900 miles to Kansas (sometimes in one day!) to see her son Bill's family.
She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and caretaker until her stroke drastically changed their lives in March 2009. As a result of the stroke, she was unable to talk to others as she was used to doing and she could talk a lot! She could comprehend what was being said to her, but her inability to be understood was a major frustration for her. She never lost her ability to express her emotions however, as those that were close to her knew what she meant most of the time.
Shortly after her husband's death in 2010, Betty moved to the Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas which is located only four blocks from her son Bill, Rita, Sarah and Audrey. They were able to spend a lot of time with her and she loved getting company. She could still attend family get-togethers for birthdays, holidays, etc., as being in a nursing home is not where she expected to be. Getting out on occasion was always welcomed by her and we enjoyed her company. Rita would fix her hair and do her nails while sharing her day, as she was a good listener and she always loved to go for walks. She still enjoyed them, although now with the aid of her family, friends and especially long walks with her daughter Jamie when she would come to visit. She was good as gold, never complained of her situation and had a comfortable life. She was a real character and was truly loved by everyone she met.
Although it was a different life than she had been accustomed to, she still had more good days than bad and never lost the twinkle in those bright blue eyes! We are forever grateful that she was our Mom and Gramma and that we were able to spend so much time with her here on earth. We will miss her always, but are happy knowing that she is now with God, long lost friends and family and is now dancing with the angels. We love you!
On March 8, 1947 she married Bill Shepherd and their marriage lasted nearly 63 years until his death in 2010. Betty grew up in Hanover, IL and graduated from Hanover High School in 1940. She was employed at the Savanna Army Depot until her retirement in 1970.
She was a member of the Hanover Methodist Community Church and a 50+ year member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Betty is survived by one daughter Jamie Seitz of Pine Springs, MN, one son Bill, wife Rita (Jones) Shepherd of Garden City, KS, four grandchildren (Max and Abbey Seitz, Sarah and Audrey Shepherd), sister Maxine "Mickey" Vanderheyden, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, sisters Geneva Morrison, Marcella "Tot" Kammer, Jean Geiger and brother Carl Jr. "Ed" Potter.
Visitation will be held at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Hanover, IL. on May 25 at 10:00 am with service to immediately follow at 11:00 am.
Internment will take place after the service at the Hanover Evergreen Cemetery with a luncheon afterwards at the Hanover VFW.
Betty was a hard worker, as anyone who knew her would tell you. She LOVED to dance and enjoyed many good times in her youth with her sisters and friends at the Royal Palace in Galena, II. She often spoke of the big band names she had seen there and if there was a dance somewhere, chances were good that Betty was there.
Betty and Bill enjoyed almost 40 years of retirement together and became annual snowbirds in a little town on the west coast of Florida called Aripeka. They enjoyed bingo, fishing, trips to the flea markets and even shrimping with their Florida friends. She enjoyed baking, sewing, crocheting, playing cards and just getting together with friends and family.
She was a real trooper, as they were constantly on the road with her behind the wheel. Even into her 80's, she drove to Florida, drive 6 hours to Minnesota to see her daughter Jamie's family, or drive 900 miles to Kansas (sometimes in one day!) to see her son Bill's family.
She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and caretaker until her stroke drastically changed their lives in March 2009. As a result of the stroke, she was unable to talk to others as she was used to doing and she could talk a lot! She could comprehend what was being said to her, but her inability to be understood was a major frustration for her. She never lost her ability to express her emotions however, as those that were close to her knew what she meant most of the time.
Shortly after her husband's death in 2010, Betty moved to the Garden Valley Retirement Village in Garden City, Kansas which is located only four blocks from her son Bill, Rita, Sarah and Audrey. They were able to spend a lot of time with her and she loved getting company. She could still attend family get-togethers for birthdays, holidays, etc., as being in a nursing home is not where she expected to be. Getting out on occasion was always welcomed by her and we enjoyed her company. Rita would fix her hair and do her nails while sharing her day, as she was a good listener and she always loved to go for walks. She still enjoyed them, although now with the aid of her family, friends and especially long walks with her daughter Jamie when she would come to visit. She was good as gold, never complained of her situation and had a comfortable life. She was a real character and was truly loved by everyone she met.
Although it was a different life than she had been accustomed to, she still had more good days than bad and never lost the twinkle in those bright blue eyes! We are forever grateful that she was our Mom and Gramma and that we were able to spend so much time with her here on earth. We will miss her always, but are happy knowing that she is now with God, long lost friends and family and is now dancing with the angels. We love you!
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