She was born in Mansfield, Ohio, on April 25, 1931, to the late Alvin F. Riggenbach and Elda W. (Hilty) Riggenbach. She was a lifelong resident of Mansfield and graduated from Madison High School. She then graduated from Mansfield Business College. On December 20, 1954, she married Paul E. Florence. They had 51 beautiful years together until Paul’s passing in 2005.
Betty put on many hats throughout her lifetime. After high school, she worked in the office at Mansfield Tire and Rubber Co. where she met Paul. She then became the “Beloved” Secretary at Wooster Heights Grade School, Madison District. She thoroughly enjoyed over 30 years there.
After retirement, she provided a shuttle service for people going to and from the airport. She also was a volunteer at the Salvation Army, preparing and serving meals.
She loved being a “right arm assistant” to her sister in Diane’s Interior Design business, when putting the final touches on client’s homes. She also assisted her in two “Parade of Homes” in Columbus as well.
She had many beautiful vacations with family. A Catalina cruise, Jamaican cruise for a destination wedding, and trips to Florida, Texas, and Europe.
Betty was an outside gal. She loved her flowers, manicuring her shrubs, and mowing. Betty was a great seamstress, making a lot of her clothes, a wedding dress, and prom dresses. She was a great cook and baker. Her food was always enjoyed wherever she took it. Chicken N Noodles and her chocolate cream puffs were among some of the favorites. She enjoyed eating out and never refused an invitation to do so.
For years, she and Paul had a boat (Anchor Inn) on Lake Erie which provided many memories for the family. She loved doing crossword puzzles and loved to read. She was a bowler and carried the name of “Betty Bowler”. She was a faithful “DIE HARD” Cleveland Browns fan. She was a lover of butterflies. Betty loved her Lord and family very much. She was a longtime member of Church of the Brethren, Grace Street, Mansfield, Ohio. She sang in the choir and served as a Deaconess.
She is survived by two daughters, Lynn Ousley and Paula (Mark) Sawyer. She had three grandchildren: Travis Ousley, Tyler Ousley and Micki (Chris) Winters and one great-granddaughter, Madi Winters. She had two siblings: a brother, Duane E. Riggenbach and a sister, Diane K. (Riggenbach) Sutliff. Jean Harp was a cherished friend for so many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; son-in-law, Russ Ousley; grandson, Trenton Ousley; and two brothers, Richard C. Riggenbach and Ronald A. Riggenbach. There are many nephews and nieces.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 pm at Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road, Ontario, Ohio, where a celebration of life will begin at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park.
The family would like to thank the medical team at Bennington Glen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Marengo for their constant medical attention to Betty’s needs while a resident there. They were also good at bargaining with her to get her to do something she “didn’t” want to do.
The Bella Care Hospice team was outstanding. Nurse Bridgett gave the medical attention needed to provide comfort in all ways to Betty in her last days. Pastor Joe was such a blessing, meeting the spiritual needs of the family at such a delicate time.
What a reunion awaited Betty as she was greeted at Heaven’s gates by her Heavenly Father…and so many others who’ve gone before her.
