Betty L. (Riedel) Hale

Betty L. (Riedel) Hale( a past resident of Little York, Illinois), 93 of Columbia, Missouri passed away at 1:30 PM on Wednesday June 1, 2022 surrounded by her family and pet dog Lola.

Betty was born in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin on January 2, 1929. She and her parents moved to Janesville, Wisconsin and later to the Chicago Area during the war years. Her parents worried about her being alone while they worked so she moved to Monmouth, Illinois and lived with an Aunt and finished High School in Monmouth. She met her husband Lewis (Doug) Hale at the Monmouth Roller Rink and they married December 26, 1948. They started their married life in a home in the Belmont/Bald Bluff area where her husband farmed. They later moved to the Kirkwood area where all three of her girls attended school. In 1968 they moved to the family farm in rural Little York, Illinois and then retired in Little York where Betty lived for 25 plus years.

She started teaching grade school in a country school outside Seaton, Illinois. Then the next year she took a position as the First Grade teacher at Biggsville Grade School where she taught for 25 years. She was the producer of Spring and Christmas programs during her ten year and made sure each child had a special role to play in their programs. She was honored as Teacher of the Year and the school and community gave her a wonderful retirement send off. She taught long enough that she taught prior students children. This always brought fond memories of her years of teaching at Biggsville.

Once retired she enjoyed crafting. She crafted for her daughters work buddies and this then turned into making crafts for grandkids of friends and family. Her candy containers made from toilet paper rolls, and paper plates are part of many children and adult family Valentine, Easter, Halloween and Christmas decorations. She enjoyed the letters that the classes sent back especially from the first graders who spell like it sounds. She crocheted and knitted, all her grandchildren and great grandchildren have either received or will receive an afghan upon graduation from high school. She enjoyed reading, her motto, "If there isn't a body its not worth reading". She enjoyed puzzles and was surprised on her 90th birthday with 90 puzzles. She loved playing the penny machines at the gambling casino.

She especially enjoyed get togethers with family and friends where we all experienced her wonderful charm, abundance of love and witty personality. She looked forward to family gatherings at Hermann, Missouri, yearly trips to Casa Grande, Arizona as well as trips to Cedar Falls, Iowa. After moving to Columbia monthly trips were made to Monmouth to lunch with teacher friends and to catch up on everyones family.

Betty is survived by daughter Wendy of Columbia, Missouri - her family - Francie Gannan, Cari(Randy)Suttles both of Georgia; Katie(Dustin)Cooper of California, Missouri - great grandchildren Mabre and lvee; Robin (Travis) Grant of McGirk, Missouri - great grandchildren Henry, Tempe, Zelda, Rosie and new baby expected in November. Daughter Connie (Dave) Kmoch of Cedar Falls, Iowa and her family - children Heather (Kevin) Arnold great grandchildren Hannah, Hayle & KJ.,Daughter Heidi Sallows, Matt(Lindsey) Kmoch and children Lauren, Devin, and Bryn.

Josh(Melody)Kmoch and children Sammie and Harley. Katie(Justin)Putnam and Levi. Grandson Allen Wonder great grandchildren Katie Rose and Nie Wonder and Grandson Cortney (Sandra) Wonder great grandchild Miguel, Arianna and Trinity.  As well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis (Doug), daughter Sandra (Hale) Rogers, and parents Rupert and Frances Riedel.

Celebration of Life will be 5-8 PM, Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at Little Cedar Presbyterian Church in Little York, Illinois. Graveside services will be private.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Warren County Animal Control Shelter.

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