A beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother, Betty will be remembered by all as a faithful follower of the Lord, an artist, a musician, and one with the gift of hospitality.
Betty was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 26, 1933, to Margaret and Merle Green. As a child, she adored animals, with her dad indulging her with dogs, cats, a banty hen, and a horse that was kept in the backyard of their home in Brentwood, MO. Yes, in the city.
She was an active member of the Church, including Tower Grove Baptist Church, Leawood Baptist Church, Broadway Baptist Church, and First Free Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, small group leader, church secretary, children's choir director, church pianist, choir member, and as part of a traveling trio that shared the gift of music at many revivals in the 1950s. She was also a member of Billy Graham's choir, along with her mother, when he held revivals in the St. Louis area. Betty was a prayer warrior, leaving a legacy of faith for her family that extends many generations. Her love for the Lord was evident in all that she did.
Fittingly, Betty met the love of her life at a church skating party. She and Robert Chris Vaal were married in 1953 and moved to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, where Bob was stationed as a blimp operator for the Navy. They loved gardening, traveling, boating, snow-skiing, fine-dining, and lived a full life together. Bob lost his battle with cancer in 1982.
When God closes a door, he opens another. Bob's best man, Lyndy, also lost his wife early. Betty and Lyndy Rudolph became close and ultimately fell in love, starting a new chapter in their lives. They enjoyed their retirement years together, spending time with treasured family and friends at the Lake of the Ozarks and their home in St. Louis, MO. They especially loved boating and watching the St. Louis Cardinals together. Lyndy passed November 11th, and Betty passed just 46 days later.
Betty will be missed by all who knew her, but we celebrate a life of commitment to family, friends, and faithful service to the Lord.
She was preceded in death by beloved husband Robert Chris Vaal (1982), beloved husband Lynwood Paul Rudolph (2021), parents Margaret and Merle Green, brother Marion Green (Jean), and many other dear friends and family members, including her step-son Jeff Rudolph (Karen).
She is survived by her cherished daughter Vicki Kernsvaal (Jim); granddaughter Kayla Kernsvaal; nephew Randy Green (Shuanna); nieces Val Schnefke (Mark) and Cindy Roth (Tim); step-sons Michael Rudolph (Cathy), Steven Rudolph (Nancy), and Donald Rudolph (Denise); and step-grandchildren Bryan Rudolph, Christopher Rudolph (Lauren), Shelby Eschenroeder (Jackman), Kevin Rudolph (Emily), Cameron Rudolph, Kylee Rudolph, and Brayden Rudolph.
Services: A service and burial will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home (10507 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64131) from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, December 30th.
