Betty Stieren Kelso

Betty Stieren Kelso passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 30, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. She was to be honored that evening at a gala at the San Antonio Museum of Art for her philanthropy at the Museum but her Lord had other plans for her.

She was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 19, 1932 and lived there her entire life raising four children. Betty lived her life full of energy and love for her family and community. She was a fifth generation Texan whose German-born ancestors were instrumental in founding Castroville, Texas in the mid - 1800's.

Betty's laughter could be heard far and wide and her love for life was known by all. Her love for animals was deep, especially her precious dogs, Chula, Prissy and Poppy. She said "dogs come into our lives to teach us about love. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big". Betty attended Saint Mary's Hall where she later served on the Board of Trustees. She graduated from Ethel Walker School in Connecticut, then attended Connecticut College, The University of Texas, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and graduated from Trinity University.

She had a great love of the outdoors and wildlife. She loved spending time with her husband, Lt. Col. Robert "Bob" at their ranch in Gillett, Texas. She worked with Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute to preserve native grasses and plants and conduct studies of birds and wildlife. She served as President of the Exotic Wildlife Association as well as the Executive Board of the San Antonio Zoo. She strongly supported animal rescue organizations and the Humane Society of San Antonio.

Betty had a keen interest of the arts. She said "art is an extremely important part of one's life. It's food for the soul". Betty and her husband were recently honored by the University of the Incarnate Word for providing funding for the renovation of the Fine Arts Complex now called The Kelso Art Center. Betty received an honorary doctorate of Humanities in 2012 from the University of the Incarnate Word. Betty's mother, Elizabeth Huth Coates, was a renowned philanthropist of the Arts in San Antonio and a graduate of The University of the Incarnate Word. Betty and Bob enjoyed traveling the globe often collecting art along the way.

In addition to supporting UIW, Betty was a major supporter of the San Antonio Museum of Art and gifted the Museum's Endowment of the Kelso Director Chair of the Museum. She was also a strong supporter of and served on numerous boards, including The Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, The Advisory Board of the Witte Museum, and individually through the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992, numerous other civic, educational, religious, medical and other worthy institutions.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth Huth Coates and Arthur T. Stieren, Sr., her son Todd Hunter Roberts and her brother Arthur T. Stieren, Jr. She is survived by her husband Lt. Col. Robert (Bob) Kelso, her children, Jenny Roberts Schimpff and husband Rick, Catherine Roberts, Barry Coates Roberts and wife Elizabeth, stepchildren Gloria Kelso Riddle and husband Jeff, Barbara Kelso, grandchildren Hunter Schimpff, Jessie Capt and husband Jared, Will Benedict and wife Anna, Louis Benedict, Elizabeth Benedict, Carolina Roberts, Coates Roberts and Jay Roberts, Clayton Riddle and wife Ashley, James Riddle and Andrew Riddle, Kelsey Krohn and Colton Krohn,and four great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. Fernando Lopez for his loving care.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 5:00 - 7:00 pm at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, Texas 78212. The memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 3:00 pm at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles, 111 Barilla Place, San Antonio, Texas 78209.

Pallbearers will be her beloved grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be Gene Ames Jr., Bob Buffkin, Harry Brusenhan, Richard Calvert, George Fischer, Jim Gorman, Jim Hayne, Jack Lewis, Fred Middleton, Larry Sheerin, Bob Spalten, Layton Stewart, Don Weber and Fausto Yturria.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to The San Antonio Museum of Art, The University of the Incarnate Word and The Humane Society of San Antonio