Betty Hetzel

Betty Jean “BJ” Hetzel, 84, of Bastrop, Texas went to be with the Lord on May 21, 2015. Betty was born on October 11, 1930 to Philip and Ruth (Tryon) Van Drooge in Moline, IL. The VanDrooge family moved to Smithville, Texas when Betty was a young girl. In 1942 her family moved to Alamo, Texas. Betty married Jerry Lee Geery in Alamo, Texas in November of 1949. They had four boys: Wade, Pat, Jim and Mike. Mike was only 18 days old when Jerry Lee lost his life in a tragic train accident. Now a single mother of four boys under the age of five, Betty went back to school. While working part-time as a telephone operator and full time as a mother, she earned her college degree in just three years. She graduated with honors, receiving a degree in education from Pan Am University.

Betty taught English in the Pharr, San Juan, Alamo School District from 1959 to 1961. She moved the boys to Austin in 1961 and taught in the Austin School District until her retirement in 1985. During her early career in Austin, she re-married and may be remembered as Mrs. Box by some of her former students.

Betty met George “Skeeter” Hetzel at a Parents Without Partners Meeting and they were married in May of 1972. Skeeter brought five children into the marriage. There were two more boys to love (Steve and Mark) and the daughters she always wanted (Georgia, Kellye and Shellye). Their nine children ranged from 22 – 8 years of age.

After retirement in 1985, Betty and Skeeter moved to Bastrop to build their log cabin in the woods of Tahitian Village. The project grew into a beautiful two-story log home. They bought a Chinook motor home and set out to explore the country. They traveled extensively and particularly enjoyed the sights along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Sedona, Arizona and Mesa Verde, Colorado as well as Yellowstone National Park.

A self- taught gardener, Betty was a member of garden clubs in Austin and Bastrop. She loved antiques and was a member of the Bastrop Historical Society. Other memberships included Bastrop Professional Women’s Organization, and two Red Hat Societies: Golden Girls and Bodacious Babes. Betty was also a long standing, and very active member of the Calvary Episcopal Church congregation.

She was very active in the Bastrop community. Volunteering was a big part of Betty’s life. In addition to her membership in the organizations listed previously, she taught English as a Second Language, drove cancer patients to appointments with their doctors and dedicated time and energy to the garden clubs.

In December of 2009, after several health issues, Betty moved into Argent Court. She was a much loved and very active resident. She volunteered her time and talents with the landscaping, decorating and seasonal events.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Herbert VanDrooge and husbands Jerry Lee Geery and Skeeter Hetzel. She is survived by her children: Wade Geery (Sue), Pat Geery (Donna), Jim Geery (Dana), Mike Geery (deAnn), Steve Hetzel (Mary Ann), Mark Hetzel (Anna), Georgia Hetzel Flarsheim (Bill), Kellye Hetzel Newton (Ed) and Shellye Hetzel-Schaeffer. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and her brother-in-law Phil Geery and his wife Jayne.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Episcopal Church in loving memory of Betty Hetzel.

A Celebration of Betty’s life will be held on Sunday, June 7th at 3PM at Calvary Episcopal Church, 603 Spring Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602.