Sr. Mary Bede Betz OSB

(formerly Theresa Catherine), 90, peacefully died at Our Lady of Grace Monastery where she resided. She was born in Schnellville, Indiana to John and Arlina (Miller) Betz on January 4, 1926. She graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy and went on to receive her Bachelors’ of Science Degree in Education from St. Benedict College and Catholic University. She began her 52 year teaching career in 1947 at various schools mostly in Southern Indiana. She retired to Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana in 1999. Sr. Mary Bede entered Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana in 1943. She made her Perpetual Monastic Profession on August 10, 1949. In 1960, she transferred to Our Lady of Grace Monastery where she was a founding member. In 2005, she celebrated her 60th jubilee. Her parents, sisters, Clara Mae Hohl, Augusta Hopf, and Josepha Betz, and brothers, Leo and Albert Betz preceded her in death. She is survived by, brothers, Eugene Betz of Jasper, Indiana; Joseph Betz of Huntingburg, Indiana; Richard Betz of Dale, Indiana; sisters Frances Schepers of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Erlene Gehlhausen of Newburgh, Indiana; Margaret Knies of Jasper, Indiana, Sr. Lucia Betz, OSB of Beech Grove, Indiana, many nieces and nephews and her Religious Community. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a wake service at 7:00 PM in the Monastery chapel. Her funeral will take place on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 4:00 PM with visitation beginning at 2:00 PM until the funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to the Retired Sisters’ Fund, c/o Our Lady of Grace Monastery, 1402 Southern Avenue, Beech Grove, Indiana 46107 or online at