Erma Bettenhausen

On March 25, 2015, Erma Bettenhausen went to be with the Lord in the presence of her son. She lived with her son and daughter-in-law, Victor and Cindy Bettenhausen in Crestview, Florida. After 97 years of faithfulness, she slipped away to Heaven in her sleep.
Visitation will be Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Woodlawn, Tennessee. Funeral Service will follow after visitation at 11:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will be at 1 p.m. at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.
Erma Alverna Brady was born on January 23, 1918 in Concord, Florida to Laura Alice and Harris Brady. She was born into a large extended family that shared food and work and faith in God. She passed the same values on to her children and grandchildren. Erma was a true independent, southern lady. She had a deep, abiding faith in Christ that steadied her daily life. She was anchored to Christ although she lived in a world of changing times, during which her country faced three wars. Erma joined the United Stated Army in 1943 and left her small Florida community to do her part to serve America. She traveled all over the country by car, bus, and train during a time when most young women stayed at home. She met and loved people everywhere as she helped them during wartime. She was a quiet lady with bold ideas, living ahead of her times.
In 1950, Erma married a handsome soldier named Sgt. Howard Ervin Bettenhausen in Clarksville, Tennessee. Montgomery County became their home. They were members of First Baptist Church of Woodlawn, Tennessee. Howard and Erma had 3 children, 9 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
For many years, they grew a large garden and shared their fresh vegetables with family and friends. Howard and Erma enjoyed bowling together on several leagues in Clarksville and Ft. Campbell. They enjoyed traveling to see the country, family and friends. Their home was always open. Erma enjoyed cooking and baking. She loved to read and crochet. She stayed busy but she was always ready to listen and her house was full of books and good food.
Erma lived her life with an open heart, open book, and open hands.
Erma was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Ervin Bettenhausen; grandson, Benjamin Bettenhausen; sister, Mrytle Brady Cherry; brothers, Madison Brady, Clifford Brady, Guy Brady, Earnest Brady, Joyce Brady, and Buford Brady.
Survived by her children, Wendall Phillip Bettenhausen (Becky), Sharon Betternhausen Patterson (Frank), and Victor James Bettenhausen (Cindy); grandchildren, LeeAnne Bettenhausen, Lauren Bettenhausen, Valerie Trommater (Matthew), Crystal Wolthuis (Andrew), Caleb Bettenhausen (Malia) Dana Briggs Jacob (Jason), Matthew Briggs, and Elizabeth Briggs Aiken (C.T.); great-grandchildren, Marshall Jacob, Reid Jacob, Graham Jacob, Eleanor Aiken, Howard Aiken, Autumn Wolthuis, Aiden Wolthuis, Natalie Wolthuis, Liam Trommater, Logan Trommater, Owen Trommater, and Samuel Bettenhausen.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Woodlawn, Tennessee.
Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, (931) 647-3371. NaveFuneralHomes.com.