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Betty Stender, 85, of Blair, passed away peacefully on Feb.1, 2023. Her life will be celebrated and remembered at a memorial service on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Hillside Christian Church in Blair, with visitation to be held the evening before on Monday, Feb. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair.

Betty was born in Onawa, Iowa on April 8, 1937, the daughter of Orville and Susie Rutledge. She grew up in Onawa, where she attended and graduated from high school, and later attended beauty school in Sioux City. On Sept. 2, 1956, Betty married Roger Stender and the couple made Blair their permanent home. In the 1970s, she opened Mar-Bee Beauty salon and successfully ran the business until her retirement at 65.

Throughout her life, Betty was an active member of the community. She was a passionate card player, belonging to several card clubs, and enjoyed fishing, boating, bowling, and traveling with her husband and friends.

Betty is survived by her husband of 66 years, Roger; son Roger Kevin Stender, daughter Susan (Brian) Childerston, daughter-in-law Christi Camden; grandchildren: Sylas Stender, Seth (Kelci) Stender, Sawyer (Jake Recker) Stender, and Jackson Stender; great grandchildren; brother Norman (Karen) Rutledge, brother-in-law Gary Kendall, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Bradley Stender, and sister Bonnie Kendall.

#2 Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Betty Jane Stender

Born April 8, 1937 Onawa, Iowa ~ Entered Into Rest February 1, 2023 Omaha, Nebraska

Memorial Service 10:30am Tuesday, February 7, 2023 Hillside Christian Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Pastor Dave DeLisle. Musical selections: "When I Need You", "When I Get Where I Am Going", "Hallelujah"

Honorary Pallbearers: Kevin Stender, Chuck Childerston, Sylas Stender, Seth Stender, Jackson Stender

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

Tribute read at funeral written by Susan Stender Childerston and Family:

"Betty Stender--The Therapist Who Did Hair"

My Son is a Waiter at a Retirement home in Lincoln. We were picking him up one day and walking the grounds. We ran into a Resident and Mom asked him what he retired from. He said Therapist and she said "Me too. I was a Hairdresser".

My Mom never knew a stranger. She found so much joy in conversing with people. She could small talk. She could give advice. She could listen. I would watch in awe as she brought out the best in people. My Husband and I moved into a new home in Lincoln a few years ago. She was visiting and it was a beautiful Spring Day. She loved being outdoors--fishing, boating, camping--so she sat outside in the Sun. I heard her talking and thought "now she's really lost it. She's talking to herself" but when I went outside, there was the neighbor woman sitting next to Mom talking away. She made friends in an instant and I can't tell you how many people told me how wonderful of a person she was. They reminded me how lucky I was to have her as my mom, and I never took that for granted.

To be married 66 years is an accomplishment. My Parents were nicknamed "The Bickersons" because they could banter better than most. We would all get a good laugh at their bickering, but it was healthy for them. They learned and they grew together. The love they shared through all these years is amazing.

Her legacy--her grandchildren. She cherished them so deeply. There are countless stories and I've struggled to capture the essence of her relationships with her grandkids. I can remember when they were all babies and her advice -- Whiskey. A pacifier falls on the floor? Dunk it in Whiskey because it kills the germs. Teething? Rub Whiskey on the gums because it kills the pain. She had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren and they will carry her light to our future generations. We can all strive to be like her and have her live on in those we love.

Betty wanted everyone to have fun. She was the life of the party and very humorous. Laughter is the best medicine, she'd say. I can remember she would pick up ladies from the nursing home to go play cards because it got them out to have some fun. It was never a burden. She loved playing cars and being around people.

She was born in Iowa and had many relatives who lived there or were Hawkeye fans. She would banter with my cousins when it was a Nebraska vs. Iowa game. In the last several years, the bantering would come from the Iowa side, and she just loved it.

And then there's my Hair. Being a daughter of a Hairdresser was fun but also stressful. She always had an opinion about my Hair. There were positive opinions and there were negative opinions. On her last day, she liked my cut and my color. It was an accomplishment I had not achieved in a while so I'm very grateful for that. My Mom was my best friend and someone I appreciated and loved very dearly.

She wanted everyone to live their best fullest life. There are so many memories and so much laughter with my mother. At a young 85 years old, she went a mile a minute. She had a slight heart attack several years back and the Doctor asked her to describe her schedule. Well, Monday was bridge club. Tuesday was cards and exercising at the YMCA. Wednesday was the Casino, Thursday was Cards and so on. He told her she should take a day off a week to relax. So, she did and that lasted about 6-8 months. I'd call to talk, and she was never home. She loved to go and do and live every ounce of her active life. On her last day she was disappointed she had to miss bridge and exercises at the Y. She was having fun with the Doctors and Nurses, and they just loved her. Her Nurse sat in her room listening to stories and watching the Price is Right. She said, "I just loved your mom. She was my most stable patient." She was her strong and ornery self when Dad and I left that day. When she passed it was a shock to everyone. She would tell us, "When it's your time, it's your time. There's nothing you can do about it." She prayed she would pass quietly in her sleep without sickness or pain. She didn't want to suffer, and she did not want us to suffer. Even though we selfishly wanted more time with her, Mom got her wish. My family can not express the gratitude we feel for having you all with us today. It reminds us how many lives she touched and for that we are so very grateful.

Susan Stender Childerston and Family

~~~Obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #249164900