Sr. Angela Betsch, age 90 of the Srs. of St. Francis in Oldenburg, died Thursday, November 24, 2016 at the convent. Born December 10, 1925 in Cincinnati, Ohio, she is the daughter of Antoinette (Nee: Peters) and Frank Betsch. She entered the convent October 4, 1944 and made her final vows August 12, 1950. A teacher and principal, schools included St. Ann’s in Hamilton, Ohio, St. Mary’s in Middletown, Ohio, St. Bernard’s in Taylor Creek, Ohio; Immaculate Conception in Old Monroe, Missouri, Sacred Heart at Troy, Missouri; Holy Trinity in Indianapolis, Indiana; St. Anthony’s in Streator, Illinois and St. Joseph’s in Tari, Papua New Guinea.
Sr. Angela grew up in the Cumminsville area of Cincinnati and move to White Oak later. She had fond memories of the family’s Christmas and Easter celebrations during the Depression, recalling how they were taught to enjoy the simple things. Attending school in White Oak, she had many fond memories of the Sisters and priests who were her teachers, developing an appreciation of poetry, the classics, algebra and music. She would graduate from Colerain High School, recalling how a government representative spoke to her class about opportunities for girls to be typists, stenographers and file clerks. With “World War II looming on the horizon, the boys knew what they would be doing. I thought I’d try working as a typist, although it meant working in the downtown area of Cincinnati, which seemed to me to be miles away from home.”
A relative drove Sr. Angela downtown where the eager graduate applied for a typist job and was accepted the same day. She spent 18 months there before thoughts of entering religious life began. Her older sister Mary, had entered the Novitiate program at the convent and she grew more intrigued as Mary shared her experiences. The family visited Mary often and eventually Sr. Angela made the decision to enter the convent. She noted “What a full and fulfilling life followed!”
Preparing for her 70th Jubilee, Sr. Angela noted, “I’ve lived a full life with happy memories of my novitiate years, challenging years working in the classroom and serving as principal, time spent as a nurse’s aide at the convent, serving as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, ministry at the Catholic Charities in Chicago and various positions at the Motherhouse.” I say as so many have, “For all that has been, thanks Lord.”
Sr. Angela is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by sisters Mary Franke, Ruth Howell, Frances Daulton, Alberta Wissel, Anita Zeinner and brothers Frank, Anthony and Edward Betsch.
Visitation is Tuesday, November 29th, from 1 – 3 p.m. at the convent chapel. Funeral services follow at 3 p.m. with Rev. Timothy Babcock. Burial will follow in the convent cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Srs. of St. Francis, P.O. Box 100, Oldenburg, Indiana, 47036 (www.oldenburgfranciscans.org). Weigel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.