Betty Lou Turner

Funeral services for Betty Turner, age 92, of Bedford, who died Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Bedford Nursing & Rehab Center will be held Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Bedford. Visitation will be held Monday at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7 PM. Interment will be held at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be directed to the Fairview Cemetery or the First Baptist Church. Memories can be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.

Betty Lou Turner was born on October 24, 1919 in Whiteland, Indiana, the daughter of William and Hallie Speas. After graduating Union Township High School in 1938, she attended business college in Indianapolis and in the following years, worked in various secretarial positions.

On July 17, 1939 she and Dick Turner were united in marriage. Betty met Dick, a Bedford native, while visiting mutual friends in Greeley, Colorado. After marriage, they settled in Greeley. After Dick enlisted in the Army to serve in World War II, Betty followed him wherever the Army sent him, living in Louisiana and Texas until he was shipped overseas. In 1947, they returned to Bedford where they spent the rest of their lives. They had fifty- six happy years together before his passing in 1995.

They were blessed with two children, Sharon and Jim, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Betty was devoted to her family and friends, loving and nurturing them at every opportunity.

Betty had a great love of nature and gave thanks every day for the birds singing outside her window. She and Dick enjoyed many years of fishing and golfing. Music also played a big part in her life. She enjoyed playing the piano, singing in the church choir and especially loved making music at family gatherings. If she knew your birth date, you could count on her calling and singing "Happy Birthday."

Betty was known for her positive outlook on life, always seeing the glass half-full. She often would sing her motto: "You've got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative." She had a very strong faith and verbally counted her blessings every day. She was incredibly patient, often saying "with patience and perseverance, things have a way of working out".

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dick, and brother Eugene.

Left to cherish her memory are daughter Sharon Schmoll and husband Don of Rochester, Minnesota, son Jim of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sister, Ina Claire Yoh of Denver; three grandchildren: Eric Schmoll (Sarah), Kevin Schmoll (Bethany), Carrie Turner; seven great grandchildren and ten nieces and nephews.

Betty will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
We will hold memories of her positive spirit, joy of life, and loving kindness as a wonderful gift.
She will live in our hearts forever.