1927
Bette
2013
Bette J. Buchanan
February 11, 1927 — October 28, 2013
Bette Jeanne Buchanan, 86, died at 12:10 p.m. on Monday, October 28, 2013, in the Catherine Kasper Life Center at Donaldson.
Bette was born in Alexandria, Minnesota, on February 11, 1927. She was the daughter of Frederick A. and Edna Margaret Pollack Kapphahn. Bette graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, Minn.
On August 7, 1950, in St. Cloud, Minn., Bette and Leonard Kay Buchanan were joined in Holy Matrimony. After 37 spiritually inspiring years together and raising a family of five children, Kay passed away on June 1st 1987. Bette fulfilled a desire to educate children and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from I.U.S.B. in 1971
Beloved by every one who knew her, Bette was a first grade teacher for 18 years at St. Michael Catholic School in Plymouth. She retired from teaching in 1988 but never retired her signature smile and concern for others. As dear friends, the Flynn family dubbed her “Saint Bette,” and she lived up to her title, offering daily prayers for others.
From 1993-2008, Bette resided with her second husband, Monte Lenarz in Minnesota and Florida. He too preceded her in death.
A devoted member of St. Michael Catholic Church she was a longtime member of CFM, Delta Theta Tau and the Marshall County Right to Life.
Bette is survived by her five children and their families: Mary Kay (Wayne) Houin of Plymouth and children; Rick Hite (Meredith, Sydney and Carissa), Todd Hite (Kyra), Jeremy (Heather) Houin (Carrson and Taylor), Angela (Davin) Kibbe, Brent (Ashely) Houin and Nicole (Jacob) Powell (Owen). Larry K. (Becky) Buchanan of Thousand Oaks, CA and children; Hunter Buchanan and Morgan Buchanan. Scott J. (Diane) Buchanan of Newtown, CT and children; Alexandra, Ryan and Scott Buchanan. Peter J. (Cathy) Buchanan of Lighthouse Point, FL and children; Caitlin (Marty) Ferguson, Allison, Courtney and John Buchanan. Patti K. (Rob) Barniskis of Eden Prairie, MN and children; Alec, Ian and Connor Barniskis. Two more great-grandchildren are expected in December and February.
Five sisters and four brothers also survive. They are sisters: Muriel Laible of Pennsylvania, Jean Tschosik and Constance M. (Jack) Fritz, Mary Lou (Harry) Hermes all of Sterling, IL., and Kathleen Post of S. Dakota.
Her brothers are: Jerome (Debbie) Kapphahn of Green Bay WI.: William (Pam) Kapphahn of Woodberry, MN, Robert (Virginia) Kapphahn of Bethel, MN and Michael (Diane) Kapphahn of Tennessee. Bette was also preceded in death by a brother, Alphonse Kapphahn.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 31st from 4 – 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Bette at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, the Feast Day of All Saints, in St. Michael Catholic Church, 613 N. Center St., Plymouth. Revs. John Korcsmar C.S.C. and William J. Kummer will officiate.
She will be laid to rest in St. Michael Cemetery next to her husband, Kay.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Church or School and the Women’s Care Center 224 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
Bette was born in Alexandria, Minnesota, on February 11, 1927. She was the daughter of Frederick A. and Edna Margaret Pollack Kapphahn. Bette graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, Minn.
On August 7, 1950, in St. Cloud, Minn., Bette and Leonard Kay Buchanan were joined in Holy Matrimony. After 37 spiritually inspiring years together and raising a family of five children, Kay passed away on June 1st 1987. Bette fulfilled a desire to educate children and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from I.U.S.B. in 1971
Beloved by every one who knew her, Bette was a first grade teacher for 18 years at St. Michael Catholic School in Plymouth. She retired from teaching in 1988 but never retired her signature smile and concern for others. As dear friends, the Flynn family dubbed her “Saint Bette,” and she lived up to her title, offering daily prayers for others.
From 1993-2008, Bette resided with her second husband, Monte Lenarz in Minnesota and Florida. He too preceded her in death.
A devoted member of St. Michael Catholic Church she was a longtime member of CFM, Delta Theta Tau and the Marshall County Right to Life.
Bette is survived by her five children and their families: Mary Kay (Wayne) Houin of Plymouth and children; Rick Hite (Meredith, Sydney and Carissa), Todd Hite (Kyra), Jeremy (Heather) Houin (Carrson and Taylor), Angela (Davin) Kibbe, Brent (Ashely) Houin and Nicole (Jacob) Powell (Owen). Larry K. (Becky) Buchanan of Thousand Oaks, CA and children; Hunter Buchanan and Morgan Buchanan. Scott J. (Diane) Buchanan of Newtown, CT and children; Alexandra, Ryan and Scott Buchanan. Peter J. (Cathy) Buchanan of Lighthouse Point, FL and children; Caitlin (Marty) Ferguson, Allison, Courtney and John Buchanan. Patti K. (Rob) Barniskis of Eden Prairie, MN and children; Alec, Ian and Connor Barniskis. Two more great-grandchildren are expected in December and February.
Five sisters and four brothers also survive. They are sisters: Muriel Laible of Pennsylvania, Jean Tschosik and Constance M. (Jack) Fritz, Mary Lou (Harry) Hermes all of Sterling, IL., and Kathleen Post of S. Dakota.
Her brothers are: Jerome (Debbie) Kapphahn of Green Bay WI.: William (Pam) Kapphahn of Woodberry, MN, Robert (Virginia) Kapphahn of Bethel, MN and Michael (Diane) Kapphahn of Tennessee. Bette was also preceded in death by a brother, Alphonse Kapphahn.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 31st from 4 – 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. A rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Bette at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, the Feast Day of All Saints, in St. Michael Catholic Church, 613 N. Center St., Plymouth. Revs. John Korcsmar C.S.C. and William J. Kummer will officiate.
She will be laid to rest in St. Michael Cemetery next to her husband, Kay.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Michael Church or School and the Women’s Care Center 224 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bette J. Buchanan, please visit our flower store.
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