Brodie, Bettie 1918-2005

BRODIE, GEARHART

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/4/2007 at 21:47:20

Bettie Brodie
LeMars Sentinel
Monday, July 18, 2005

Bettie Brodie, 87, of Spirit Lake, and formerly of Merrill, was surrounded by her family when she died Friday evening, July 15, 2005, a her home after a brief illness with cancer.

Margaret Elizabeth Brodie was botrn April 9, 1918, in San Francisco, Calif., the daughter of William and Flora Gearhart. Her father was an attorney and a sliver mine owner; her mother was a semi-professional singer with the San Francisco Opera and worked in the first Chinese art gallery in San Francisco.

Bettie graduated from Burlingame High School in 1935 and received a B.A. degree in public speaking at the University of California-Berkley, in 1939. She was first employed by Fireman's Fund as a statistician. in 1944, during World War II, she joined the Red Cross as a Clubmobile volunteer for 18 years, serving in England, France and Germany. In July 1945, at the end of the war, Bettie had a blind date with a handsome officer named Gordon Brodie. It was love at first sight and they were engaged after three weeks.

The were married in San Francisco on Oct. 27, 1945, and resided most of their married life on the Brodie family farm near Merrill. Bettie moved to Spriti Lake in 1994 after Gordon's death in 1993.

In Spirit Lake, she became active as a volunteer at the Spirit Lake Ats Center and the Lakes Regional Hospital. Bettie was a lifelong mmember of the PEO Sisterhood and was also involved with the Republican Party, AAUW, and Presbyterian Women's Circle. She wasn a avid bridge player and reader who also enjoyed following the PGA and University of Iowa athletics. Bettie loved entertaining her family and friends with delicious food and stimulating conversation.

Survivors include her four children: Barb and Larry Gearke of Littleton, Colo., Tom Brodie of Indianapolis, Ind., Ann and Krieg Failing of Littleton, Colo., and Meg and John Ideker of Shanghai, China; nine grandchildren, Matt Gearke, Molly Switzer, Abby Gearke, Geoff Brodie, Andy Brodie, Katy Failling, Maggy Failing, Martha Ideker and Sophie Ideker; a sister, Martha Gregory of Bradbury, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Martha Willis of Lake City; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and a brother, William Gearhart.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Spirit Lake, with the Rev. Clint Loveall officaiting. Lunch will be provided in the fellowship hall immediately following the service for all those in attendance. Bettie's ashes will be placed at the Plymouth Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Craethorne, outside of Le Mars, prior to the service.

The Schuchert Funeral Home of Spirit Lake is in charge of arrangements.