Obituary of Betty Jane Belitz

Betty Jane Reichart Belitz departed this life on September 1, 2016. She was born in family farm home at New Berlin, Illinois, on November 13, 1924, the second of twelve children of John and Florence Maude Reichart. She attended Foutch School (a one-room country school) and graduated from New Berlin Township High School at the age of 16. As a child and young woman she was an active member of Island Grove Methodist Church in Central Illinois. She married William F. (Bill) Belitz August 27, 1943. He preceded her in death February 10, 1985. Betty has resided at Franciscan Villa in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma since 2013. A long career in nursing began in Springfield, Illinois, as a volunteer Red Cross nurse aide. During the early 40’s Betty also was “Rosie the Riveter” at Allis-Chalmers in Springfield and at Spartan Aircraft in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after she and Bill moved to Tulsa in 1945. Betty continued nursing at Deaconess Hospital, Marshalltown, Iowa and was also office manager for her husband’s propane business in that city. She climbed the career ladder from Aide, to Licensed Practical Nurse, and finally attained Registered Nurse status in 1972. She attended the University of Tulsa, where she was on the Dean’s honor roll and a member of Gamma Epsilon Alpha honor society for “women striving for excellence”. Betty graduated from St. John Hospital School of Nursing in 1972 as Valedictorian of her class. She worked 9 years as office nurse for Dr. Linus Munding and was affiliated with St. John Medical Center for 51 years. After retiring from staff nursing she did private duty nursing and worked 4 years in telecommunications until retirement in 2003. She was also a dedicated auxilian for 13 years, giving 7000 hours at the information desk and serving as 3rd Vice President. Betty was a charter member of Tulsa Chapter of Post Anesthesia Recovery Room Nurses and served as local and state officer. She also served on the patient education committee, was a mentor, did nurse recruitment for St. John as was on the policy and procedure committee. Betty was confirmed December 15, 1946 at Redeemer Luther Church in Marshalltown, Iowa and remained a faithful member of Our Savior, Good Shepherd, Grace Lutheran churches in Tulsa and Trinity Lutheran in Broken Arrow. She served and glorified the Lord as a Sunday school teacher for 45 years, sang in choirs, was active on Social Ministry boards and Women’s Mission groups. Her special ministry was patient advocacy and visitation to shut-ins, the hospitalized, and the bereaved. Though they had no children of their own, Betty and Bill opened their hearts and homes to one of her brothers, a sister, two of his nephews and a young St. John Resident. She indeed was a “special angel” to many people who appreciated her caring expertise as a nurse and friend. Besides her husband, Betty was preceded in death by her parents and brothers James, Bernard and Charles Reichart. She is survived by brothers Robert and Richard, sisters Jean Staab, Mary Bilyeu, Florence Gabriel, Dlma Neal, Janet Swartzendruber, and Nancy Reichart, sisters-in-law Sue Sever and Ella Reichart, brothers-in-law Bill Swartzendruber and J.B. Neal, and many nieces, nephews, friends and a large extended family. Betty’s message to all she knew and loved is simply this: “Perhaps at the last day all that remains worth recording of a life full of activity, zeal and caring will those little deeds that were done solely under the eye of God”. Memorials may be directed to Good Shepherd Luther Church, Tulsa, Trinity Lutheran Church, Broken Arrow. “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us, but what we have done for others and the world remains, known by God, and is immortal.”