Elizabeth "Betty" L. Marburger

Elizabeth “Betty” Marburger peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 16th at Buda Oaks Assisted Living in Buda, Texas, which was her home for the past two years. Betty was born on October 17, 1926 in Manchester, Iowa to Louis and Esther Wenger. She spent her young life on a farm in Iowa and attended a one room school through the 8th grade.

Betty graduated from Manchester High School where she played the Bassoon. After high school, she attended Iowa State University and graduated from Texas State University with a degree in education.

During college in 1944, Betty met Harold Marburger at a skating party, soon after Harold received his draft notice. They continued to keep in touch by writing letters to each other while Harold was in the army during WWII and Betty was in college. They were later married on December 8, 1946 when Harold returned home from the war and they moved to Texas that same year. Betty was legally blind in one eye from Whooping Cough as a child, so getting her drivers license later in life was a big accomplishment.

During Betty’s 23-year career as a sixth grade teacher, she was chosen twice as the Austin ISD’s "Elementary Teacher of the Year." She and Harold both retired in 1982. Betty and Harold’s appreciation for teaching led them in 2004 to establish an endowed scholarship for teachers in the College of Liberal Arts at Texas State University.

Betty was a lifetime member of the Texas Capital Military Order of Purple Heart Ladies Auxiliary and a lifetime member of the Texas State University Alumni Association. She was a former past president of Alpha Delta Kappa and the State Official Ladies Club, as well as being active in many other organizations and professional societies. In addition, she was a member of the LBJ Library where she volunteered for many years in the photographic archives. Betty was a member of the Methodist Church all her life and volunteered in many capacities for almost 70 years in Austin, at Asbury Methodist 1955-62, Memorial Methodist 1962-92, and at Bethany UMC since 1992.

Betty loved playing golf, cards, and traveling. She was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed all Texas State and the University of Texas sports as well as Thoroughbred Horse Racing. The family will always cherish memories of the family vacations, especially the many trips to the mountains of Ruidoso, NM, which she and Harold loved so much.

Betty is survived by: two children: Collene Schaub and her husband John of Austin, TX and Cheryl Eastburn of Jarrell, TX; grandchildren: Erik Eastburn and his wife Kim of Jarrell, TX, Dr. Courtney Marburger and her husband Sree of Pittsburgh, PA, Tara Marburger of New Braunfels, TX, Tyler Eastburn of Austin, TX, and Preston Schaub of Austin, TX; great grandchildren: Logan Greenwood of San Antonio, TX, Jade Duvall and her husband Jason of Georgetown, TX, Mina Eastburn of Austin, TX, and Gavin Gadde of Pittsburgh, PA; and great great grandchild: Blair Duvall of Georgetown, TX. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son Stephen Marburger. Betty was a loving wife and mother, a loyal friend who touched many lives, and a perpetual teacher. Her children admired her commitment to family, friends, and educational career.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday June 21st at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin, TX. If attending please wear something bright and cheerful for Betty. Burial will be a private, family only event.

Memorial contributions may be made to the “Harold and Betty Marburger Endowed Scholarship”, Texas State University, 601 University Dr., San Marcos, Texas 78666 or www.ua.txst.edu. We would like to thank Aspen Hospice and Buda Oaks Assisted Living for taking such wonderful care of Betty.