Betty L. Pape

Betty L Pape, 92, fell asleep in Jesus on April 7th, 2024, and by Jesus’ grace, Betty, was immediately received into heaven to be with the Triune God forever! All of this because Jesus died and rose for the forgiveness of her sins. On the last day, Jesus will raise Betty’s body to be joined with her soul, and Jesus will hug her completely and finally with all the saints forever in the new earth and the new heaven.

Betty spent most of her early childhood years living in various places in Nebraska, wherever her father could find work during the Depression. Later, her family moved west to Washington where her family expanded to a total of 10 children. She proudly remembered being a very adventurous and precocious child getting into all sorts of messes with her brothers and sisters.

At 15 years old, Betty bravely took the train alone to Seward, NE to attend her last few years of high school and attend college at Concordia Teachers College and High School. She graduated there with a 2-year college degree in education. At Seward, she also met her husband, Donald. They were married for 70 years before his passing in August of 2023. Betty taught for 2 years in Pierce, NE while she waited for Don to graduate.

Together, Don and Betty started their married life in Inglewood, CA, then continued moving east for Don’s teaching positions in Omaha, NE, Storm Lake, IA, ending up in Fort Wayne in 1967. Along the way, they had 7 children.

Besides raising all these children, Betty was a teacher’s aide, substitute, and school librarian at various schools where Don taught. She was a seamstress, florist at Blossom Boutique, salesperson at Phyllis’ Gown, manager of Wendy’s Bridal and of Factory Fabrics in Fort Wayne. She also enjoyed attending the Amway conventions throughout the country with her husband.

Betty loved sewing projects, doing puzzles, spending time with family and friends and arranging her annual Christmas miniature villages. As a devoted grandparent, she and Don also took their grandchildren on trips across the country as their 15th birthday gift.

At Concordia Lutheran Church, Betty volunteered with their Altar Guild and held a leadership position with LWML even on the Indiana district level. She volunteered with the Christ Child Festival, where she was also a chair person for several years. More than anything, Betty wanted people to know Jesus and looked for ways to open doors for them to hear the Good News.

Betty is survived by her brothers Dwayne (Sue) Schmidt of Granda Hills, CA, David (Kay) Schmidt of Conrad, IA and Larry (Elaine) Schmidt of Mesa, AZ; children, Ellen Mann, Marcus E. (Kim) Pape, Erica Taylor, Ginger (Joel) Leinhos all of Fort Wayne, IN; Matthew J. (Ellen) Pape of Waldorf, MD; Gregory J. (Ayumi) of Keller, TX; Karla (Steve) Harris of Auburn, IN; sisters-in-law, Mary (Mick) Krueger of Monroe, MI and Dot Pape of Liverpool, NY; 17 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Betty was preceded in death by her huband, Donald E. Pape of 70 years; parents, Herman J and Erna A C (Haase) Schmidt; brothers, Gerald and Keith Schmidt; and sisters, LaVon Elguezabal, Gladys Warren, and Bonita Schmidt.

Funeral Service and Celebration is 11 am, Friday, April 19 at Concordia Lutheran Church, 4245 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne with calling one hour prior. Visitation is 4-7 PM, Thursday, April 18 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Maplewood Park, 4017 Maplecrest Rd., Fort Wayne. Interment at Highland Park Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to Concordia Lutheran Church, 4245 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46815 or Worship Anew - Lutheran Ministries Media, 5 Martin Luther Dr, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Pape family.