Betty Jane (Miller) Garber

Betty Jane Garber, 90, went to be with the Lord on August 16, 2020. She was born on August 15, 1930 in Canton, Ohio to Ernest and Beulah (Gibson) Miller. The family moved to Sarasota, FL when Betty was 13 years old. She graduated high school from Hesston Academy in Hesston, KS which is where she met her future husband, C.Irvin Garber. They were united in marriage on January 14,1949, and made their home in Manson, IA where Irvin was from. 

Betty spent her adult life as a homemaker. She spent her time sewing clothes for her family, canning, braiding her five daughters’ hair, and reading to her children every night. She and Irvin were members of the Mennonite church and were always very involved. They served as youth leaders, taught Sunday school, Betty played piano and organ, and often you would find them bringing extra children from neighborhoods around town to church alongside their own growing family. Betty enjoyed reading her Bible and could be heard praying throughout her day. She prayed for each of her family members by name each day. Betty and Irvin raised six children of their own and in 1963 became guardians of 3 additional children. 

In their retirement years, Betty and Irvin enjoyed spending their winters back where she considered her hometown in Sarasota, FL. Betty always loved Florida and made it her permanent home after Irvin passed away in 2011. She enjoyed family visits, playing cards, reading, and putting together puzzles.

Betty has spent the last 2 years in the loving care of Pleasantview Home in Kalona, IA where she enjoyed visits from her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She may not have been able to hear well, but she sure had a great sense of humor and could communicate well. She was well loved by all who cared for her.

Betty is survived by her children Lucinda Bird, Clearwater, FL., Janeen (Mike) Springer, Iowa City, IA, Susan (Russ) Vigneron, Fort Dodge, IA, Cherilee (Phil) Stoltzfus, Inola, OK, Carla (Steve) Ryan, Friend, NE, Tom Garber, Fort Dodge, IA, and foster children Pam (Bob) Weaver, Harrisonburg, VA, Deb (Tim) Anderson, Humboldt, IA, and Mike (Dawn) Cook, Falling Waters, W.Va, 27 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren. Her sister in laws Lavonne (Wayne) Bohn, Manson, IA, and Lila Garber, Akron, PA, and brother in law Merlin Bohn, Manson, IA.

She was preceded in death by her husband C. Irvin Garber, her parents Ernest and Beulah Miller, sister Shirley Bohn, 3 brother-in-laws, 2 sister-in-laws, and son-in-law Bill Bird.

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