Betty grew up on a small dairy farm east of Rockville, MO. She was the third of four daughters blessed to loving parents. She was a hard worker from an early age and would rather be outside helping her dad bale hay and doing chores. She loved playing softball in the summer on teams coached by her dad. They lived in a small four-room house and attended Mt. Zion Church just up the gravel road. She always cherished the memories of those times that influenced her grounded nature the rest of her life.
Betty attended school in Appleton City, graduating in 1972. She was voted Homecoming queen her freshman year, she was a class officer and was voted best athlete her senior year. After graduation, Betty attended college in Springfield, MO for a short time before returning home to work for local doctors at the Appleton City Clinic. It was at this time that she began dating her future husband and lifelong friend and love of her life, Gerald Stephan. After about a year Gerald and Betty were married in a small ceremony at the Methodist Church in Appleton City. Their marriage would become over 50 years of mutual love and respect for each other. They complimented each other perfectly and were never apart over the years. When she knew she was near the end of her life, she said to her children, “take care of your Dad for me!” It would be impossible for anyone to love their family more than her.
Betty was a very hard worker. For the first years of their marriage, she worked side by side with Gerald on the farm. After their children were born, she went back to work at Ellett Memorial Hospital, Appleton City Clinic as a doctors’ assistant, and later for West Central Community Action Agency. She worked for Head Start and Housing, and cherished the friendships she made, retiring in 2018. Her favorite work of her life though was being with Gerald on the farm working ground, driving trucks, and helping with their cattle.
Betty was saved and baptized at a young age. In recent years, she attended church at the First Christian Church of Appleton City. Her faith was always strong and set an example for her family. Her faith never wavered as she began to have health issues in recent years. She was a selfless servant of the Lord, always giving 100 percent of herself to not only her family but everyone she knew.
The pride and joy of her life were her children Matt and Erin and their families. Throughout the years, Betty never wanted to miss their activities, no matter how big or small. The family lived close and grandkids were usually there every day just to talk and see each other. Betty became an excellent cook over the years and loved preparing meals for the family or anyone who came by. She learned to make her own clothes from her mother when she was young and would still patch the family clothes. She would always say that her favorite hobby was her grandkids.
Betty is survived by her husband Gerald of the home, son Matt (Jessica) Stephan of Appleton City, MO and daughter Erin (Chad) Vogel of Montrose, MO. She has six grandchildren: Coy Stephan, Lila Stephan, Reid Stephan, Abby (Tanner) White, Mason Vogel, Case Vogel, and one great-grandchild Rhett White. She has two sisters, Sandra Long of Appleton City, MO and Skip (Jack) Mead of Nevada, MO and brother-in-law Dean Walker of Nevada, MO. She has a very special mother-in-law, Wilma Stephan of Appleton City, MO. She also has sisters and brothers-in-law and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many wonderful friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Van and Ruth Waite, father-in-law Warren Stephan, brother-in-law Bill Long, and little sister and best friend Debbie Walker.
Memorials suggested to the Betty Stephan Love Fund.
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