Betty Maxine Long Zehntner went to be with the Lord on March 12, 2018. Hers was a successful example of a life well-lived. Born in Winter Haven, November 4, 1926, she was the first person in her family to go to college. She won a math scholarship to the Florida State College for Women, which became Florida Slate University just before she graduated. She married Marvin Zehntner, a cowboy from Montana on April 17, 1949, and they spent 43 happy years together before his death in 1993.
Betty made numerous contributions to other's lives throughout hers. She was a dedicated math teacher for 35 years before becoming an assistant principal for several years. She was a smart, strong, independent woman who fought against gender discrimination in the school system and who lost sleep over her students’ pain. She had many talents which she generously shared with others: she was a skilled seamstress and craftswoman who made clothes for people and blankets to donate to veterans. Though her primary instrument was the accordion, she took up playing the organ and piano in her later years and with her beloved husband, who enjoyed playing with her so much, he secretly played his violin along with her in the other room even when she insisted on practicing alone. She also played organ for her church's Sunday school class. She passed down her love of both music and books to her surviving family, and it has continued into the next generation as well.
She is survived by her sister, Margie Foley, her two children, Nancy Philips and Steve Zehntner and her grandchildren, Lindsey, Jamie, and Rusty Phillips, and Christa Bupp.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 10 – 11 a.m. with a funeral service following at 11 a.m. Both will be held at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven, Florida. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the hospice of your choice.
