Jean Emily Betz Brockhoff

Jean was born October 31, 1924 to the late Joseph and Gertrude Betz in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her sister, Dorothy Steigerwald, and brothers, Joseph Betz, Jr., Frank Betz, Emil Betz, Richard "Zeke" Betz and Irvin Betz, all of Cincinnati, preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death, just 52 days prior, was her beloved husband, Bill. Two grandsons, Tim Brockhoff of Cincinnati and Matthew Shoener, of Conover have also passed.

Survivors include, daughter and son-in law Joanne and David Sigmon of Sherrills Ford, son and daughter-in law, John & April Brockhoff of Covington, Kentucky and daughters and sons- in law, Nancy and Richard Harkness of Wake Forest, NC and Mary Anne and Richard Shoener of Conover. Eight grandchildren, Jacob Sigmon (Allison) of Savannah, Ga., Stephen Brockhoff(Jessica) of Milford Ohio, Amelia Yourison (Isaac) of Mesa, Arizona, Jenny Shoener of Conover, Thomas, David, Maggie and Nicholas Brockhoff of Covington, KY., and 5 great grandchildren, Asher and Marley Sigmon, Newton, Peter and Matthew Yourison, sister-in-law, Mary Brockhoff and brother-in-law, Fred Geraci, both of Cincinnati plus many beloved nieces and nephews also survive.

Jean was a graduate of Our Lady of Angels High School, in Cincinnati in 1942. She met her husband in Cincinnati, following high school at Andrew Jergens Co, in 1942 where they were both working, and they were married on October 1, 1949. October 2014 was a special year. On October 1, 2014, Bill and Jean celebrated 65 years of marriage and on October 31st, Jean celebrated her 90th birthday. The day prior to her 90th birthday, she was featured on Larry Sprinkle's WCNC birthday remembrance.

She attended Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Cincinnati and graduated in the Class of 1947, beginning her career as a Registered Nurse until her retirement. After moving to Taylorsville, NC in 1953, she began working at Alexander County Hospital. In the early '60's, after moving to Conover with her family, she began working at Catawba Memorial Hospital, now Catawba Valley Medical Center, in Hickory. There, her nursing career, was spent on the medical floor and Emergency Room Dept. until her retirement. In May 1986, she was recognized by the hospital as nurse of the month. During her daughters' years in Girl Scouts, she served as the summer camp nurse at Camp Ginger Cascades. She passed on her love of nursing to three of her children who became registered nurses also.

Jean loved to sew and made most of her children's clothes during their childhood. In her free time, she enjoyed playing Rook with her Rook Club, playing Solitaire, working crossword puzzles, baking delicious German chocolate cakes and lemon tarts.

Jean and her husband Bill, were members of the Secular Franciscans for 65 years and when able, she enjoyed the meetings and activities of the group.

Though Jean had trouble with her memory the last few years she never forgot how to treat people... With the utmost sweetness and kindness a human being could ever possess. As a nurse, concerns and needs of others were treated by her daily before meeting her own needs and this continued until the day of her death.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 5th from 1:30pm-2:45 at St. Joseph Catholic Church 720 W. 13th St., Newton. The funeral Mass will be at 3pm on Thursday following visitation at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will be at Catawba Memorial Park 3010 US Highway 70 SW in Hickory.

The family would like to acknowledge the excellent service of Ellen Brown and Kim Straley of ResCare Homecare .

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 720 W. 13th St., Newton, NC 28658, or Holy Angels, Inc. PO Box 710 Belmont, NC 28012.