Laura Belle (Bahr) Betz, 14 Mar 1924 - 25 Dec 2021

BETZ, BAHR, RODGERS

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 1/6/2022 at 14:10:05

On December 25, 2021, Laura Belle Betz (age 97) was ushered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas gift than to be in the presence of her Savior and to be reunited with her husband Clegg and other loved ones.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, January 29, 2022 at First Baptist Church in Grapeland.
Memorials may be given to either:
1) Frontier Camp, 131 Frontier Camp Road, Grapeland, Texas 75844
2) East Iowa Bible Camp, 1433 F52 Trail, Deep River, Iowa 52222.

Laura Belle was born March 14, 1924. She was the third of five daughters born to Earl and Lillian Bahr of Ladora, Iowa… Ruth Irene, Vada Mae, Laura Belle, Wanda June, and Lois Faye. Laura Belle was a pioneer woman in many ways. She grew up on a farm south of Ladora, Iowa near Little Bear Creek. She did gardening, canning, and cooking with her mother and worked on the farm with her father. Laura Belle went to Hartford #1 Country School one-half mile north of their home. She attended Ladora High School where she continued to excel in her studies and graduated before the summer of 1941. World War II broke out December 7 of 1941 and Laura Belle became her father’s hired man since most of the young men went off to war.

Laura Belle married Clegg Betz October 10, 1942. They had three children: Arthur, Harlan, and Charma. In addition to working with Clegg on the farm, for a period of time Laura Belle also worked at Wilson Packing Plant, Marengo Hospital, and Homestead Bakery.

Clegg, Laura Belle, and their children were among the founding families of Fundamental Gospel Church (Cornerstone Church). Laura Belle taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She loved hosting and entertaining people in their home. Clegg and Laura Belle were also very involved at East Iowa Bible Camp where she participated in workdays at the camp, served as a cook’s helper, and loved on kids as a cabin counselor. Attending family camp was a highlight for them each summer. Laura Belle also served as a Girls 4-H Leader for many years.

After Clegg retired just over 25 years ago, Clegg and Laura Belle moved to Houston County Lake in Grapeland, Texas so they could live closer to their children and grandchildren.

Clegg preceded Laura Belle in death 5 ½ years ago. They had been married just 2 ½ months short of 74 years. Laura Belle is survived by her 3 children: Arthur (Jeanette), Harlan (Sharon), Charma (Tom Rodgers died 3 ½ years ago); 7 grandchildren: Lynnette (Wayne), Wendy (Gabriel), John (Emily), Joshua (Jill), Sarah (Mark), Chandra, and Charissa (Jeremy); 20 great-grandchildren (Rebecca, Rachel, Jared, Jacob, Christoph, Gerrit, Max, Madison (Marcel), Noah, Micah, Kayna, Elizabeth, Luke, Benjamin, Samuel, Ethan, Olivia, Jackson, Claire, and Jude); and 2 great-great-grandchildren (Mila and Roman) and many other loved cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Clegg and Laura Belle worked side by side on the farm, worshipped side by side at church, and lived and prayed side by side as two who loved one another and loved serving others.

Laura Belle left a remarkable legacy of commitment to Christ, devotion to family, and service to others.

Published in The Hometown Current on January 5, 2022.