Elizabeth "Betty" Marie Kemna, age 101, of St. Elizabeth, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at her home.  On September 14, 1921, she was born on her family farm in Miller County, daughter of the late Joseph and Christine (Ortbals) Buechter.  On July 1, 1944, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Betty was united in marriage to Norbert Kemna, who preceded her in death on February 26, 2008.

Betty attended a two-room country school known as Elliott School until the eighth grade.  Following school, she went to work in St. Louis and Cleveland, Ohio, working various jobs as a nanny, cook, and housekeeper.  She returned home in 1940 after the tragic loss of her father and began her trade as a hairdresser.  Betty loved dancing and attended numerous dances in the rural area, and as chance would have it, she met Norbert Kemna at a local dance, who later became her husband, and they were blessed with 64 years of marriage.

Throughout her 101 years, Betty lived through considerable transformations in the world and the struggles and adversities she faced greatly shaped her strong work ethic and the wealth of knowledge she possessed.  Her wit and humor were legendary and will live on in generations to come.   Betty was a master gardener and an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.  She enjoyed fishing on the Big Tavern, quilting, playing cards, and bowling.

Betty was a homemaker, raising her eight children and assisting her husband with the day-to-day chores on the Kemna farm. In addition to being hands on at the farm, she also owned and operated her beauty shop and later opened Kemna Café.  Later in life at the age of 68, Betty became a certified nurse's aide and worked at St. Elizabeth Care Center until her retirement at the age of 91.  In 2005, at the age of 83, she was recognized as the Central District's Older Worker of the Year.  Betty was a faithful member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

She is survived by eight children, Susan Sweeney, Mark (Mary) Kemna, Carl (Sharon) Kemna, Dinah (John) Eddy, Nancy (Allan) Libbert, Curtis (Jeanie) Kemna, Pam (Richard) Otto, and Ross (Carol) Kemna; 26 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren; brother, Hilary Buechter; and countless nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by three grandchildren, Brett Eddy, Jackie Libbert, and Rickie Otto; one step-grandchild, Chuck Sweeney; siblings, Norbert Buechter, Marcella Ewalt, Theresa Wilde, Robert Buechter, Alfred Buechter, Martin Buechter; and son-in-law, Jim Sweeney.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 11 a.m., on Thursday, June 8, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church with Fr. Christopher Aubuchon officiating.  Interment will be held at St. Lawrence Cemetery in St. Elizabeth.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in St. Elizabeth.