Betty Louise (Cruikshank) Krukenberg's Obituary
Betty Krukenberg Obituary
LIMA — Betty Louise Cruikshank Krukenberg, 86, was surrounded by those she loved and by those who loved her deeply as she died peacefully in the evening hours of June 23, 2013, at Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, Van Wert.
Betty was born Sept. 21, 1926, in Leipsic to John Clarence and Gertrude Bell Cruikshank. The family later moved to Columbus Grove, where Betty graduated from high school in 1944. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Miami University, Oxford, in 1948. While there she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority as well as a modern dance group called Orchsis. After college, Betty taught home economics in Columbus Grove, beginning in September 1948.
While at Miami she met her future husband who survives her, John Thomas Krukenberg, originally of Sidney. They were married July 17, 1949, at the Methodist Church in Columbus Grove. Betty returned to teaching at Columbus Grove from 1960 to 1966 after being a “stay at home mother” to her four children. John and Betty later moved to Shawnee Township where Betty taught home economics at Shawnee High School from 1966 until her retirement in June of 1986.
Betty was a member of Shawnee United Methodist Church for 40 years, as well as a member of the YWCA and the Senior Citizens Center.
Betty enjoyed many hobbies which included handwork of cross stitch, crewel work, quilting and knitting, as well as the joy of collecting quilts and Indian pottery. She and John loved the music of the 1940s and could dance the night away if they heard any Big Band Music like that of band leader Glenn Miller. Her love of reading filled her evenings as she had devoured the stories in many novels. Her recipe for apple dumplings was a family favorite. Her interests in history included anything Native American as well as things she could learn about her Scottish heritage from both sides of her family. She absolutely adored each and every one of her children and grandchildren while enjoying relationships with in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She would greet you with a hug that was memorable, whether or not you were 6 or 60. As “Mrs. Krukenberg,” she touched the lives of her many students over the years, teaching them homemaking, cooking, sewing and personal life skills which they continue to use today.
In addition to her husband, John, Betty is survived by twin daughters, Jane A. (David J.) Norton. of Port Jervis, N.Y., and Joanne (Tom E.) Andros, of Duncannon, Pa.; sons, John F. (Charlotte) Krukenberg, of Fishers, Ind., and Jeffrey A. Krukenberg, of Delaware, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Amanda J. Andros, of Philadelphia, Kristi J. Andros, of Ocean City, Md., Preston J. Norton, of Port Jervis, N.Y., Clayton J. (Krissy Scheuer) Norton, of Cincinnati, Jacqueline K. (Patrick) Chittenden, of Carmel, Ind., Karl R. (Bekah) Krukenberg, of Indianapolis, Taylor A. Krukenberg, of Findlay, Logan A. Krukenberg ,of Columbus, and Iain K. Krukenberg, of Radnor; and two great-grandchildren, Jayce and Braydon of Cincinnati. She is also survived by niece (and her wedding flower girl), Judith (George) Truesdail, of Gordonsville, Va.; nephew, Stephen Ginader, of Banner Elk, N.C.; great-niece, Jennifer Truesdail, of Gordonsville, Va.; great-nephew, Joshua Truesdail, of Cary, N.C.; great-niece, Katherine (Max) Bradburn, of Boone, N.C.; great-great-nieces, Louise Truesdail, of Gordonsville, Va., and Autumn Bradburn, of Boone, N.C.; as well as niece, Laurie W. Reiser; and nephews, Greg (Lisa) Winans, Tim Winans and Andy Winans.
Betty is also survived by cousins Brenda B. Clymer, of Columbus Grove, William Bell, of Columbus Grove, Bonnie R. Welty, of Pandora, Linda R. Basinger, of Ottawa, Roger Bell of Fostoria, Karen B. Leinsetter, of Syracuse, Ind., Kent Bell, of Chicago, Marilyn M. Berry, of Pittsburgh, Jack Montooth, of Grand Blanc, Mich., and James Hipkins, of Asheville, NC.
Betty was preceded in death by her father in 1953; her mother (age 103) in 2001; her sister, Martha Jane Ginader in 2008; brother-in-law, Bill Ginader in 2001; sisters-in-law, Jean K. (Max) Winans and Judy K. Watkins; as well as her aunts, Eleanor B. Radabaugh, Dorthea C. Hipkins and Mary C. Montooth; and uncles, George Bell, Robert Bell and Don Cruikshank.
Funeral Services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove. The Rev. Charlotte Hefner will officiate. Burial will be in Truro Cemetery, Columbus Grove.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Van Wert Inpatient Hospice Center, 1155 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891.
Online condolences maybe made at hartmansonsfuneralhome.com.
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