Betty M. Wertz

The very special light that was Betty Mae Stewart Wertz faded away on February 8th, 2011. Betty was born on December 15, 1922 in Eskridge, KS. She was one of eleven children born to Dr. Franklin Charles Stewart and Sylvia Alice Tufts. She and her many siblings grew up in a large house in a small town in a very close family. They remained close throughout their adult years, sharing family news through their ongoing Round Robin letter which passed from one Stewart to the next, each adding a new letter and taking out their previous one. They had annual gatherings on Mother’s Day weekend at Lake Wabaunsee, near Eskridge, which coincided with their high school reunions (with 11 kids somebody always had a reunion!). The siblings took turns hosting Stewart reunions. Wes and Betty hosted several of these reunions, the last being in 1996. Betty graduated from Kansas State University in 1944 where she met her husband, Dr. Wesley Hargitt Wertz, DVM. They were married on December 16, 1944. Wes Wertz preceded her in death on October 5, 2002. Wes and Betty were residents of St. Charles, MO for over 50 years. Betty was very active in the First United Methodist Church, including United Methodist Women, numerous church committees, Lydia Circle, and for many years the chairman of the annual church Treasure and Junque Sale. Betty was a 50-year member of PEO Chapter FM. She was also active in the St. Charles Historical Society and the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary. She had a true commitment of over 40 years to the St. Louis Area Methodist Children’s Home, Epworth, now known as Epworth Children and Family Services and was very active as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society as chairwoman for the transportation committee arranging drivers for patients who needed rides to appointments. Betty was a doer. She hunted for and refinished antique furniture, first filling her home and then her son’s and daughter’s. She was the original recycler, long before it was a recognized concept and championed all recycling efforts at her church, collecting cans and returning the cash to benefit Epworth. At home she gardened, flowers and vegetables, preserving countless quarts of pickles, apples butter, tomatoes, tomato juice and green beans as well as freezer bags of sweet corn and peaches. She truly loved to cook and bake. No one ever left her table hungry. Her cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls as well as her many cookies, bars and peach pie were legendary. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, rug braiding and especially quilting. Her home, as well as those of her children and grandchildren and many friends were warmed with her bed quilts and her decorative and crib quilts. The Epworth Children’s Home named her their 1998 Family Member of the Year, calling her Epworth’s “number one fan.” In the memory book she was presented along with her crystal award one of her friends wrote: “she can be counted on to help, no matter what is asked. She is always brimming in generous spirit, modest beyond belief, and hard working to the core.” She is survived by her daughter, Christine (Jim) McConnell, Green Bay, WI and son Richard (Libbie) Wertz, Liberty, MO. She treasured her four grandchildren to whom she and Wes were Mama Doc and Papa Doc; Mathew Stewart Wertz, Nashville, Abigail Lee Wertz, Dallas, Kate Elizabeth Wertz, Nashville, and Rebekah Anne Wertz, Dallas and one great grandson, Wesley Jackson. A brother, Gawain (Wanda) Stewart, Granger, IN and sisters-in-law, Joyce Stewart and Katie Wertz Chaudoin and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Wesley; her sisters: Edna LaVaun (Merle) Burgett, Sylvia El Dana (J.R.) Ayres, Ardis Minerva (Vernon) Rose, Clarice Alyce (Charles) Atwell, Vera Monreve (Kenneth) Moses, Mary Eloise (Carlton) Moore, and brothers: Charles Franklin (Maxine) Stewart, John Tufts (Douglas) Stewart and Robert William Stewart. Betty had recently moved to the Rennes Health Center in DePere, WI to be closer to her daughter Christine. The family would like to thank their wonderful staff that cared for Betty. Memorials may be made in Betty’s name to the First United Methodist Church, St. Charles, MO, Epworth Children and Family Services and Salvation Army of St. Charles County.