Betty (Rice) Bergey

Betty Bergey

HESSTON - Betty Bergey, of Hesston, died Thursday, Aug. 16, 2012 at Schweitzer Villa in Lake Vista Retirement Center in Hesston.

She is survived by her husband John R. Bergey and their children, Diana (Phil) Hershberger of Topeka, Jack (Karen) Bergey of Colorado, Priscilla (Günther) Bergey of Germany and Mary Hope(Eddie) Cartagena from Arizona. There are 4 grandchildren: Benjamin (Jessica) Hershberger, Samuel Hershberger, Ruby Grosser, Paullina Cartage and one great-grand child Christian Hershberger.

Betty was born on February 19, 1927 in Columbiana, Ohio, the daughter of Leo and Emma Rice.

She was the middle child of ten siblings and is survived by Anna Mary, Emma Jean, Homer, Richard, John, Glen, James and Carol. After graduating from Hesston Academy High School, she received her diploma in nursing at La Junta Mennonite School Of Nursing in Colorado in 1951.

Betty married John on August 28 1952.

After working as a Pediatric nurse at Childrens's Hospital in Philadelphia they moved to Fresno California in 1960 where John taught nursing at CSUF and Betty was a nurse at Valley Medical Center. Several years later Betty became a public health nurse and eventually a supervisor of the Fresno County Health Department for nine years. During this time Betty also enjoyed teaching Health Education Classes to teenagers at Juvenile Hall which she found most challenging and rewarding.

She was also very enthusiastic about the Child Care Classes she taught to young mothers living in a group home as an alternative to jail. In 1973 her family moved to Ascunion, Paraguay where they worked for a year in the mental hospital teaching the staff and nurses more humane methods of care.

After returning to the USA she worked as an OB nurse at Valley Medical Hospital and later became a certified teacher of ASPO/LAMAZE. Retirement came in 1990 from St. Agnes Hospital.

For several years after that she volunteered teaching classes in health education and child care at the Evangel Home (home for homeless and abused women), until she retired from St. Agnes Hospital in 1990. Betty had several strokes in 2001 and soon after that she and John and moved to Lake Vista Retirement Center. In her life Betty has traveled to many countries and used her skills as a nurse in every possible situation and has been a sparkling light in many peoples lives. She will be remembered for her infallible humor, kindness, courage, and integrity and her great love of music. We will all miss her dearly. The memorial service will be held Friday August 31 at 3:00 in the Hesston Mennonite Church on Main Street. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Betty Bergey's name to the following: Schowalter Villa 200 W. Cedar, Hesston, KS 67062 or to Hesston College P.O. Box 3000 Hesston, Ks. 67062. Miller-Ott Funeral Home, 107 S.

Lancaster, Hesston, KS is in charge of the arrangements.