Gertrude "Gert" Betzold

Gertrude “Gert” E. Betzold, 78, of Kearney died August 24, 2022, at her home in Kearney surrounded by her family. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on September 1, 2022 at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, Father Joe Hannappel will officiate. Interment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney with a Vigil/Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Amedisys Foundation for AseraCare Hospice of Kearney. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Gertrude Elizabeth Betzold was born on September 6, 1943, in Denver, Colorado to John and Dorothy (Bauer) Pauls. She grew up in Colorado and graduated from Fort Morgan High School. Gertrude was united in marriage to Thomas Betzold on January 27, 1962, in Fort Morgan, Colorado. The family moved to Hastings in 1964 and then to Kearney in 1969 where they remained throughout their lives. Gertrude graduated from cosmetology school and enjoyed various jobs outside the home but her life’s work was raising their five children. Gertrude was also a member of St. James Catholic Church in Kearney where she was a frequent volunteer. In her free time, her hobbies included, sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafts, refinishing furniture and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never missed a game or program for the kids. Gert was a wonderful cook, famous for her mashed potatoes and German dishes like cheese buttons (pierogies), cabbage pockets (runzas), and dina kuga (coffee cake). Nobody ever left her house hungry. She always took care of everyone else, and it was hard for her to be taken care of as she neared the end of her life. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Thomas Betzold, Jr. and his wife, Cindi of Palmer, Marvin “Teddy” Betzold and his wife, Susan of Kearney, Tamara Lawter and her husband Joe Andersen of Kearney, Robert Betzold and his wife, Rhonda of Omaha, and Richard Betzold and his wife, Laura of Bennington; grandchildren, Sarah (Rick) Johnson of Ashland, Rachel Ziebarth of Palmer, Amanda Betzold of Brownsville, OR, Dillon Lawter and Scott Hickel of Kearney, Noah (Amanda) Betzold, Kaleb (Sydney) Betzold, Madison Betzold, Zach Betzold, and Derrick Lawter all of Omaha and Zavier Peterson of Bennington; great grandchildren, Elsie, Isaac, Everett, and Cary Johnson of Ashland and Jackson Ziebarth of Palmer; brothers, Leo, Michael and George Pauls; sisters, Anna Schneider, Barbara Giese, and Mary Palmieri.

Gertrude "Gert" Betzold

September 6, 1943 - August 24, 2022