Bettie Ruth Nebergall: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice
Hutchinson News, The (KS) - Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Deceased Name: Bettie Ruth Nebergall
ST. GEORGE, Utah - Bettie Ruth Nebergall passed away on December 31, 2009 in St. George, UT, after a long illness. Bettie was born to Leo and Ivah Westerhaus on May 31, 1926, at home in Burns, Kansas, as the youngest of three children. She attended grade school and high school in Burns and received a BA from the University of Wichita in 1947 with a major in English and a minor in the fine arts. She was recognized with many honors in art and music. During her sophomore year she was a Parnassus Queen candidate.
Bettie met James Boyd Nebergall at the University of Wichita and they were married on June 4, 1948. They moved to La Crosse, Kansas, to start their lives together as schoolteachers. They subsequently moved to Great Bend, Kansas, to continue their careers and raise three daughters.
The teaching careers of Bettie spanned the experience of working in a one-room schoolhouse on the high plains to teaching advanced English composition at Great Bend High School. For many years she organized educational trips to Europe for high school students. She was an excellent role model and she made a positive impact on many, many young people. She made a difference.
After retiring, Bettie and Jim enjoyed traveling in their fifth wheel and would spend many winters in Yuma, Arizona. They lived a few years in Lawrence, Kansas, and then moved to St. George, Utah. Bettie was an active member of the Catholic Church.
Bettie was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. She is survived by: her husband, Jim; daughters, Lillian Cross of St. George, Lexie Engleman of Lawrence, Kansas, and Lynn Matthews of Banamichi, Mexico; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 8, 2010, at 11 a.m. in Kuzy Hall at St. George Catholic Church, 259 W. 200 North, St. George, Utah. A rosary will be prayed on Thursday, January 7, 2010, at 7 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Interment will take place at a later date in Hesston, Kansas. The family is grateful for the tender care provided by Zion's Way Hospice as well as Kolob Care and Rehabilitation. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221.
