Betty Jane Todd Langhammer O’Dell passed away on Dec. 1, 2016. She was born to Virgil J. and Myrtle A. Todd on March 11, 1928. She is the third oldest of 13 children.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5 at Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs, Missouri, burial followed at O’Dell Cemetery, Orrick, Missouri. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Fort Osage School District scholarship fund.
She graduated from Shelbina Missouri High School and began teaching in a one-room schoolhouse. She continued her education graduating from Hannibal, Missouri, LeGrande College and taught in another one room school. She married John Langhammer, and to this union, was born three children – Beverly, Cynthia and Kevin. They later divorced and Betty went back to school, graduating from Northeast Missouri State Teacher’s College. She then began teaching fifth grade at Elm Grove School in the Fort Osage School District and continued teaching there until her retirement in 1984. Betty taught for over 30 years in her various positions.
Betty and Maurice O’Dell met and married March 19, 1967. Their blended family consisted of six children at home and one other, who was already married. Betty and Maurice retired to live in a country home near Orrick.
Betty loved gardening and being outdoors with Maurice. One time she even took a pistol to the garden to shoot a rattlesnake! It was during this time she began quilting; making her first quilt for her mother and then another for herself and then more for her children and continued making over 100 quilts for those she loved – even her heart doctor.
Maurice and Betty bowled on leagues; with Betty bowling until age 85. She loved golfing with “the girls” into her 80’s and playing “Hand & Foot” and serving daiquiris to the girls. She also enjoyed visiting the casino to play the slots with her sister Dorothy.
Betty had a smile that would light up a room! She leaves her husband of 49 years, Maurice; daughter, Beverly (Curtis) Kinker; stepson David (Ethel) O’Dell; stepdaughter, Connie (Eric) Decker; 19 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, six sisters, two brothers and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents, daughter, Cindy; son, Kevin; stepson Tony and four brothers.
Arrangements are through Bross & Spidle Funeral Home of Excelsior Springs.