JOPLIN, MO —
Bette Jo Gehrs, age 84, of Joplin, Mo., passed away at 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Freeman West Hospital.
Born July 6, 1927, in Springfield, Mo., she was the only child of Mike McGuire and Zoa Scrivner McGuire. After graduating from Springfield Senior High School, she attended Drury College Nursing program and worked at the former Springfield Memorial Hospital.
On Dec. 30, 1947, Bette married William L. (Bud) Gehrs Jr. in Springfield, and then moved to Joplin, and began to build their live together. He survives.
Beginning in 1964, she and her husband built and operated the Ambassador Apartments in Joplin, which she managed for many years. In 1984, along with her husband, they developed and operated the BBG Corporation, where she served as secretary-treasurer. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and B.B.B. Dinner Club.
Additional survivors include three daughters, Rebecca Koziel, of Columbia, S.C., Debrah Artinger, of Galena, Kan., and Jeannine Goodrich, of Kansas City, Mo.; five grandchildren, Abbey Metzinger, of Tulsa, Okla., Brad Windle, of Joplin, Nick Jones, serving in the U.S. Navy, Celina Jones, serving in the U.S. Air Force and Rachael Goodrich, of Lawrence, Kan.; four great-grandchildren; and additional special family members including Justin Yancer, of Tulsa.
Respected and loved by all, Bette had an effervescence about her that made the newest acquaintances feel like a welcome new friend. The life of Bette can be described in one word- beautiful.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary. The family is hosting a celebration of life reception at their home, at 1324 Fairmont Drive, Joplin, from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 11.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Joplin Humane Society are encouraged.
Obits
Related Photos
-
Gehrs, Betty Current.jpg
-
Gehrs, Bette Wedding.jpg
Condolences
Bette Jo Gehrs
- Obits
-
-
Margaret A. "Maggie" Mayhue
Margaret A. "Maggie" Mayhue, age 66, of Webb City, Mo., passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2013, at Freeman West, following a long illness.
-
Morris D. Gerken
Morris D. Gerken, 63, of Columbia, Mo., passed away May 24, 2013.
-
George O. Livingston
George Omar Livingston, age 77, of rural Lamar, passed away early Friday morning, May 24, 2013, at his home.
-
Mildred Gollhofer
Mrs. Mildred Gollhofer, 91, of Sarcoxie, Mo., a longtime area educator, departed this life on Wednesday, May 23, 2013, at St. Luke's Care Center in Carthage, Mo., after a sudden illness.
-
Cloyd A. Moore
Cloyd Allen Moore, age 78, the patriarch and jokester of his adoring family, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2013, at 3:07 a.m. in his home after an illness.
-
Michael L. Duley
Michael Lewis Duley, age 60, of Joplin, Mo., passed away at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2013, of a long illness.
-
William Sumaza
William "Bill" Sumaza, 90, of Sarcoxie, Mo., passed away Friday, May 24, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon, Mo., after a long battle with Parkinsons.
-
"Dub" Kentner
Lyman Wakefield "Dub" Kentner, age 89, of Lamar, died Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Barton County Memorial Hospital.
-
Elsie Tyler
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Elsie "Granny" Tyler, age 61, of Northport, Ala., died May 22, 2013, at DCH Regional Medical Center, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
-
Mary L. Winey
Mary Lynn (Lucas) Winey, a resident of Hingham's Allerton House since 2008, passed away peacefully at the Harbor House Rehabilitation Center on March 20, 2013. She was 84.
- More Obits Headlines
-
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
