About 5 years ago, Prayer Angels honored Betty during a Ladies Candlelight Night for her strong faith. Since she was beginning to experience dementia, I had written it with her assistance & input. Betty loved this testimony of her life that was shared with over 150 women that night. I am sharing her inspiring story with you today, that you may have a glimpse of this amazing, inspiring, love-filled, faithful, sweet woman I was so blessed to call friend.
Betty Recker is an amazing, inspiring, and beautiful woman, who in spite of feeling the fire many times, has always displayed unshakeable trust in God. I am honored to share her story with you tonight. Betty is the second oldest of nine children and grew up praying the rosary with her family several times a week. They went to mass each Sunday, and on occasion through the week. They attended First Friday masses regularly. Betty credits her parents example as the foundation for her faith.
As a child, Betty states she seriously considered becoming a nun. She chose St. Catherine as her confirmation patron saint and has remained close with her since. How cool is it that St. Catherine, patron of marriages, has blessed Betty with over 58 years of marriage?! Betty also has had a beautiful long time devotion to St. Teresa.
She met Bob Recker, a handsome young man at area square dances at the young age of 15. Having a daughter myself near that age now, I stress “young”! Betty’s mom thought too, that was too young, especially with Bob being 6 yrs older and made her date others. But Bettys heart belonged to Bob and 4 years later they were married and settled down near their families. They wanted to start a family right away, and she recalls being very worried that it wouldn’t happen after more than a year had passed. However, almost 2 years before their second anniversary, their first child was born…followed by another the next anniversary...then another 15 months later…altogether they were blessed with ten children. Betty recalls how challenging it was when the kids were young & so close together, especially with all of their responsibilities of owning a dairy farm. She helped milk cows morning & night.
In 1964, they moved away from their families to a farm near New Riegel. Betty worked hard to instill faith in her children. They went to mass on Sundays, and prayed the rosary together. They paid tuition to send their kids to St. Francis, and Calvert schools. There were years attended public schools, but Betty felt the catholic education helped her to stress the importance of faith and prayer to her children.
The Recker family suffered a tremendous tragedy in 1978 when their 13 yr old daughter Barbie, was killed in a car accident. There were 5 children killed that night. The kids were spending the night at a friends house and went out TP’ing. Later that night, without the parents permission, they snuck out to drive past their TP job when they were struck by a semi truck. Betty recalls how family and friends came over for support and to pray with them. When she talks about that night, and the depths of her sadness, she shakes her head with teary eyes…& as they always do, her thoughts then turn to her friend Clara…she lost 3 of her children that night in the accident. Unimaginable pain.
Many times, marriages do not endure through such terrible tragedies. Betty remembers her husband saying that he didn’t want Barbie to go anywhere that night. She thought the kids worked hard and deserved to have some fun and spend time with their friends. She didn’t get mad about that, or at the boy driving, or even at God. She kept praying and trusting God to get her through it. Through the years, Betty has leaned on her faith, knowing Barbie is in heaven, and that one day they will be reunited.
Bob and Betty instilled a hard work ethic in each of their children. Over the years, Betty worked many jobs besides the farm, such as the turkey farm, banquet halls, and the hospital, all to help ends meet. Life on a dairy farm requires strong hands and lots of time! The family milked morning and night, and put many hours into farming. Bob and Betty took in & had many helping hands over the years, including migrants. As with any big farm and big family, there were financial concerns and mishaps over the years, including broken bones and injuries, but God always pulled them through.
Early one night a huge fire caused by combustion burned their barn down. They were fortunate enough to be home, and were able to get their cows out in time-she comments how the Holy Spirit always looked out for them. In 1992, Betty and Bob sold their farm and built a house across the road. They eventually retired, but put that extra time into helping their family. Betty frequently babysat for grandchildren & great grandchildren. They both helped their kids with their homes – painting, remodeling –anything they could do to help. They even turned their basement into an apartment which over the years had helped several of their families. Love in Action.
Betty recalls other hardships as her kids became adults. She’s helped several of her loved ones through divorce and remembers how hard it was to watch their pain & trying to be as much help and support for them as she could. She recalls the difficulty of her son & daughter-in-law losing their unborn baby; their next child was born with Williams Syndrome—He has always been a special light & love to Grandma Recker!!!
Betty & Bob eventually got an empty nest, and continued to pray together. I recall coming in one night during their prayers—what a beautiful song, back & forth, flowing so eloquently, effortlessly…one that had been sung many times. They attended mass during the week in addition to Sundays, Eucharistic Adoration, sponsored people through RCIA, cleaned the church, and held a weekly prayer group in their home.
Another tragedy occurred 5-1/2 yrs ago when their 44 year old son Greg died unexpectedly at work from a massive heart attack. Again, Betty reflects on the immense pain of losing a child and how faith and family pulled her through. She still misses Greg & Barbie so much, but is reassured knowing that one day they will be together again.
Several years ago, another hardship for her--due to concerns from her doctor, she was no longer permitted to drive. She talked about how difficult this was to accept. It limited her independence. She recalled how very upset she was and prayed herself through it. Her husband Bob was diagnosed with Alzheimers several years back and continues to gradually decline. Betty was his primary caregiver all that time until a few months ago. Bob’s doctor wanted him in the nursing home, and Betty decided she would move to the nearby Elizabeth Shaeffer apartments so she could walk to visit him each day. Although it was somewhat difficult to leave their home, she states she is very happy here and that Bob is being well cared for. She is often saddened by the terrible Alzheimers Disease process and what it is doing to her best friend of 60 years, but continues to pray through it. At times, he can be almost catatonic, but Bob will pray along with family members, even when he can’t remember who we are.
Recently, during a visit, I asked him if he remembers where he met his Betty..”Dances” he said…I then commented on how he used to tell us how he always had his eye on her…he looked up with a wink for her and added, “still do”.
Betty says she is now in a nice stage in life where she often sits back and counts her blessings. Last week, I took her to lunch. On the way, she was rummaging through her purse, commenting she forgot to bring money. Shortly she stumbled upon some and immediately says “ oh thank you Lord, you always take care of me”. What a perfect example of how all her life, Betty thanks the Lord often and trusts in Him to provide. Betty wants you to Always trust in God –because hardships will come in life..and God, He’ll always pull you through—somehow. Thank you Betty for all you do to inspire faith & Gods Love through your example.
I could add more chapters since this was written on her strength, courage, patience, and smiling. Betty has been such a beautiful light in so many lives, and we are all the better because of her. "I can only imagine" her reward. ~God's Peace, Love, & Joy~