Jean Betty Weidman

Jean "Betty" Weidman, age 85 of Schertz, Texas, went to be with our Lord on Saturday, February 6th. She will be remembered as a loving wife, doting mother and grandmother as well as a devoted fan of live music and dance.

Jean was born on December 23, 1930 in San Antonio to Fritz and Hattie Klaeden. She attended elementary school in Austin but moved back to San Antonio before high school. She graduated from Harlandale High School and earned a degree from Draughon's Business College.

Upon graduation, Jean landed a job with General Life Insurance and subsequently worked for Tower Life Insurance Company. She loved the excitement of working in the heart of downtown San Antonio, and often talked about visiting the shops, restaurants and clubs along Houston Street.

It was her dancing that caught the eye of a young soldier from Boston who was out with the boys at the Lackland NCO Club. Arthur Weidman, whose red hair earned him the nickname of "Red," had to work up his nerve to ask Jean for a dance. Soon after, they were tearing up the dance floor at all of the popular clubs of the day, which included the Eastwood Country Club and Kopy Kat Lounge.

After a two-year courtship, Jean and Red were married at St. Leo's Catholic Church on November 21, 1953. In the years that followed, they had two boys, Gordon and David, and Jean stayed home to raise their children. When the boys were older, she returned to the work force in the 1970s and served as Office Manager for Riedel's Furniture in Schertz, TX.

Throughout their 63 years of marriage, Jean and Red loved dancing to big band, jazz, blues and country music at clubs throughout Texas. Their finesse on the dance floor earned them top honors at many dance contests over the years – even winning them a Caribbean cruise. They got to know many well-known musicians, including Harry James, Doug Sahm, Augie Meyers, Spot Barnett, Randy Garibay, Al Gomez and Ken Slavin. They were also featured in the KLRN-TV special, San Antonio: The Good Times, in which the couple was shown reminiscing about their dance club days back in the 1940s and 50s.

Jean danced up until the last few days of her life – even performing her trademark high-kick, which always elicited applause. Red credited Jean with their success on the dance floor, saying that she was the best swing dancer in South Texas. He also said that her long legs, high heels and fashionable outfits turned heads at all of the clubs.

Her love for her family knew no bounds. She enjoyed spoiling her granddaughter with frilly dresses, new toys and homemade cookies. And she passed along many positive traits to her family, including her caring and protective nature, strong values, simple lifestyle and love of music.

Jean danced through life with a big smile on her face and a great sense of joy. She is survived by her devoted husband, Red, and their sons David and Gordon, their wives Diana and Joanna, and their granddaughter Katrina.

The family would like to thank Jean's dedicated caregiver Edna San Miguel and family friend Margo Rios. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jean's memory to the Alzheimer's Association San Antonio Chapter at www.alz.org/sanantonio.

The family will receive friends 6:00-9:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

SERVICE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016

1:30 P.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.