Betty Rylander

Grace Elizabeth Zirkel Rylander (Betty) went to her home in Heaven on June 23, 2014. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend. Betty was born on May 28, 1921 in San Antonio, Texas to Raymond Zirkel and Grace Ryan Zirkel.

Growing up, Betty was surrounded by a huge, close knit, loving family. She graduated from Brackenridge High School and attended the University of San Antonio for two years (later to become Trinity University). It was here in a Trig class that she met the love of her life, Grady.

She and Grady both moved to Austin to continue their studies. She graduated from UT Austin in June 1943 with a B.S. in Microbiology. She married Grady on September 24, 1943 in Norwood, Pennsylvania. Betty and Grady both worked at Westinghouse while living in Pennsylvania- Betty in the metallurgy department while Grady was involved in the design of the first jet engines. Those first few years of married life were happy ones for the newlyweds, even though the shadow of WWII hung over their lives. They made many wonderful memories there as well as many great friends.

After the war, they moved to Austin where Grady took a teaching position in the Mechanical Engineering Department at UT. It was in Austin where Betty and Grady remained for the rest of their lives. Betty became a full time mother, Engineering professor's wife and worker in their church. After 67 years of a wonderful marriage, Grady died on May 22, 2010.

Betty is survived by her sons Grady III (Margie) and Gary (Cathy) and two daughters, Betty Weldon (Jim) and Martha Beiter (Kevin). Betty, or as she was known to her grandchildren, Mommo, always had time for her 12 grandkids either at home in Austin or at the farm in Bertram or at the coast: Christopher Grady (Nichole), Ingrid Kincaid (Layton), Matthew (Lori), Nathan (Jackie), Jonathan (Kristyn), Rebekah, Katie Dillard (Frank), Ginny Weldon, Andrew Weldon, Bonny Beiter, Daniel Beiter (Elizabeth), and Michael Beiter. Betty was thoroughly enjoying her 6 great grandchildren: Jaxson, Addie and Lani Kincaid, Jake Rylander, Savannah Rylander, and James Rylander.

Betty will always be remembered for her many wonderful meals, prepared so often and so lovingly, and for the many wonderful stories and messages she relayed through phone calls and letters. But mainly, she will be remembered for her deep love of Christ and how she lived it out in her life. She will be deeply missed.

Memorial service planned at Weed-Corley-Fish on Sat, June 28th at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hyde Park Baptist Church, 3901 Speedway, Austin, TX 78751 or The Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509 NY, NY 10018.