Betty Tyree Osiek

Betty Tyree Osiek was born on April 2, 1931, in Lenox, Kentucky and went home to heaven on May 1, 2023, in St. Charles, Missouri. Betty is survived by her stepson, Robert E. Osiek and wife Barbara of Champaign, Illinois, along with several beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Betty was preceded in death by her mother, June Johnson Tyree; by her father, Everett Henry Tyree; by her brother James Everett Tyree; by her sisters Jessie Kathryn Tyree Hearne, Louise Tyree Ranker, Virginia Tyree Clarkson; and by her husband, Edward H. Osiek.

At the age of 17, Betty moved to the St. Louis area where she lived and worked until she married Edward H. Osiek on June 28, 1958. After they were married, Eddie asked Betty what she wanted to do with her life. She responded, "I want to get my education." Thanks to Eddie's support and encouragement, Betty did just that! She went from a GED to a Ph.D. in only 10 years!

She graduated from Washington University and became a university professor of Spanish and Latin American Literature. She taught at Lindenwood, the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. She retired from SIUE in 1986, after having taught there for 18 years. Betty authored two books and translated one drama from Spanish to English. From 1970 - 1982, she reviewed works of poetry in Spanish for the Library of Congress publication, "The Handbook of Latin American Studies". She was chosen by her students to receive the "Great Teacher's Award" at SIUE in 1981.

Betty spent her life paying it forward by encouraging and supporting her students, friends, neighbors, and family. There are many people here today who give credit to Betty for their success and accomplishments.

Betty traveled extensively and visited 72 countries in all. During her "retirement", she served as the business manager for Eddie's sporting goods business from 1986 - 1999. She was a Volunteer Teacher's Aide in English as a Second Language at the St. Charles County Community College from 2001 - 2006.

Betty was an elder, Sunday school teacher and choir member at New Hope Presbyterian Church. Most recently, she was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. She loved choir music and for several years sang with the St. Charles Community College Singers, the Women's Chorale and the St. Peters Choral Society.

As a result of her deep love of education, several scholarships have been endowed in memory of her late husband Eddie, and now in memory of Betty. Memorial donations may be made to the Christian Home Society or the American Cancer Society.

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