Betty J. Seegers

It is with an immensely heavy but extremely grateful heart that we share the passing of a wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt of the sweetest person, Betty Joan Watson Seegers, at the age of 91. Betty passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter, Karen, with her loving husband of nearly 68 years, Jerry, by her side. Betty (Mom/Nanny) had the kindest, calmest demeanor of anyone we have ever known.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother, Pauline Watson, and her father, James Watson, her aunt Helen Ruth Hutchison, her uncle Bill Hutchison, son-in-law, Michael Bishop, and her sisters-in-law, Phylliss Seegers (Paul) and Nancy Bruick (John). They will all welcome Betty with open arms into Heaven. She leaves behind her legacy to her life partner and husband, Gerald Seegers, and her children, Karen Seegers (former Michael Bishop) and Jay Seegers (Jack Dempewolf), her precious grandchildren McKenna Hunter (Michael Stephens), Paxon Hunter and Ceigen Hunter (Kaitlyn), her brothers-in-law, Paul Seegers and John Bruick, her beloved cousins, Scotty Hutchison (Diana) and Sherry Hutchison Moore (former David), and numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family, and her favorite bunny rabbit, Iris.

Betty was a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. Betty attended the same graduation ceremony with her mother, Pauline Watson, who concurrently earned her master’s degree in education. Betty was an elementary school teacher for several years, first in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and later in East Chicago, Indiana. She was widely loved by her students and held the title of Lake County, Indiana Teacher of the Year in 1958-59.

After graduating from college, Betty met the love of her life, Jerry Seegers, at a high school football game in Crown Point, Indiana. Betty and Jerry had both graduated from Crown Point High School, although two years apart. Jerry asked a good friend at the game who he should consider dating and his friend pointed to Betty Watson, sitting only a few rows away. Jerry’s friend said Betty was very sweet, but you will have to “put up with” her father, James Watson, the Superintendent of the public school system at the time. When Jerry laid eyes on Betty, he turned to his friend and said I am going to marry Betty Watson. Betty and Jerry were married six months later – and the rest is history.

Betty and Jerry lived a long, happy life together, living for years in Indiana and Florida, and late in life, residing with their son, Jay, in Texas and their daughter, Karen, in Ohio. They shared many travel adventures with family and dear friends. They toured the Greek Isles, French Riviera, Venice, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, among others, and they went on many memorable trips across the United States with Jerry’s siblings, Paul and Nancy, and their spouses, Phylliss and John.

Although Betty was a gifted teacher, her greatest career was homemaker and mother to her devoted children, Karen and Jay. Betty was the kids’ greatest supporter and cheerleader. She attended over 100 tennis matches to watch Jay play during his high school years and was also a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader for many years for Karen. Betty also faithfully brought Karen and Jay to swim lessons, piano lessons, and Little League baseball. Betty even took swim lessons one year with the kids, but she never advanced beyond the beginner class because she wouldn't put her head underwater - ha!

Betty was an enthusiastic spectator and fan at sporting events. She and Jerry attended countless Chicago Cubs games, with season tickets at Wrigley Field for over 50 years (of course, they were at Wrigley for the 2016 World Series!). They were also avid IU fans, attending countless basketball and football games in Bloomington, traveling to Hawaii to see the IU basketball team play in the Maui Classic, and to New Orleans to see the IU basketball team win the NCAA National Championship. They also attended numerous other sporting events, including the US Open Tennis Championships, Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the Super Bowl in Miami, the Kentucky Derby, and 31 straight Indianapolis 500 races.

Betty also actively participated in competitive endeavors of her own. She loved to play tennis and she loved her tennis friends in Indiana in La Porte, Michigan City, and Valparaiso, and in Florida in Delray Beach. She played nearly every day for 50 years, mostly women’s doubles but sometimes mixed doubles with Jerry. She had a fierce forehand and a wicked slice backhand. She retired from tennis at the young age of “85”!

Betty played in several bowling leagues early in her marriage, frequently bowling games in the 200 range. She loved playing bridge and, at one time, enjoyed five bridge groups simultaneously. She played many years of neighborhood bunco with her friends.

Betty and Jerry loved to dance, especially in their later years in Florida. Their dancing career ended when they both toppled over dancing the “twist” when they were both nearly 90 years old - oh those were the days.

To her grandkids Betty was just “Nanny.” She played hours on end with the grandkids when they were little. When McKenna played with her Nanny it was “hours” of Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shop. Nanny once asked McKenna if they could take a snack break, after playing 3 hours with McKenna’s plastic animals and McKenna said “no, you haven’t played enough yet for snacks.” Nanny played lots of tennis with the kids. She took them to the beach and pool and played in the sand building sandcastles. Nanny and Papa would take them to the animal safari in Florida, miniature golf and mini kid amusement parks. In later years, Nanny spent countless hours with the grandkids playing board games and cards.

Betty’s Family would like to give a special thank you for the loving care and support of Betty’s long-time caregivers, Kerline, Guerlyne, Cheyla, Rayven, and Betty’s grand-daughter and grand-daughter-in-law, McKenna and Kaitlyn.

Visitation and church service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Crown Point, Indiana at the St John’s United Church of Christ, 1288 S. Indiana Ave., with visitation from 11 am to 12:30 pm Central Time followed by a church service starting at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s name to the St. John’s United Church of Christ or the Boys & Girls Club of La Porte County.