Loren Betz

Loren Eugene Betz, age 78, formerly of Estes Park, Colorado, passed away August 19, 2011, at home in Broken Bow. Loren was born December 24, 1932 in Broken Bow to Alfred and Ethel Buckner Betz. He attended Broken Bow schools, graduating in 1951. Loren, who was recruited to play football, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 1955. He was a First Lieutenant in the U. S. Army from 1956-1958. On August 1, 1960, he married Thelma L. Coffman in Englewood, Colorado. To this union three children were born: Lisa, Paula and David. In 1960, Loren began his teaching career as a science teacher and coach in Mullen, Nebraska, followed by two years of teaching in Broken Bow. After obtaining his Master of Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, in 1963, he served as superintendent at Comstock, Brady and Axtell, Nebraska. From 1968-1972, Loren worked for the Nebraska State Department of Education. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 1972 and taught at South Dakota State University, Brookings, from 1972-1977. The family moved to Commerce, Texas, in 1977 where Loren taught and served as Head of the Department of Educational Administration at East Texas State University until his retirement in 1995. Loren was an avid Cornhusker football fan. He enjoyed restoring vintage vehicles, showing poultry, traveling and hiking in the Rocky Mountains near Estes Park, Colorado, where he and Thelma made their home after his retirement. However, Loren’s greatest priority was his family. Survivors include his wife, Thelma, of Broken Bow; daughters, Lisa (Joey) Hajda of Broken Bow and Paula (Stephen) Roddy of College Station, Texas; son, David (Rachel) Betz of Carrollton, Texas; granddaughters Amelia (Stephen) Rodgers of Broken Bow, Clara (Levi) Williams of Broken Bow, Stacy (Chris) Gwynn of Austin, Texas, Jaclyn Roddy of College Station, Texas and Margaret, Eleanor, Lydia, Charlotte and Anne Hajda of Broken Bow; grandsons, Jacob Hajda of Broken Bow, Thomas Roddy of Dover, Pennsylvania, Timothy and Peter Hajda of Broken Bow and Henry and Truman Betz of Carrollton, Texas; and great-granddaughters, Harriet Rodgers and Jemima Williams, both of Broken Bow. He was preceded in death by his parents and mother-in-law, Hilda Winter Coffman. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 22, 2011 at 2 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, Broken Bow, with Kathy Salts officiating. Interment will be at the Broken Bow Cemetery with military honors. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Good Samaritan Home Care Services, Kearney, Nebraska. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------