Katherine Elizabeth "Betty" Gehr Keck Jordan's Obituary
Katherine Elizabeth "Betty" Gehr Keck Jordan was released from the bonds of Alzheimer's Disease on July 1, 2016. Born to Stanley and Frieda Gehr on August 20, 1924, Betty attended Richmond High School and was an outstanding student leader at Wittenberg College, where she met her future husband, Paul Keck. As a Lutheran pastor's wife for nearly 40 years, she managed many church functions, directed choirs, and supported churches with a sacrificial lifestyle.
Having skipped fourth grade in a one-room schoolhouse, Betty joked about teaching that missed grade for over three decades at New Haven Elementary School, where she inspired several generations of students to embrace reading. Seven years after losing Paul to cancer, she married Gene Jordan, with whom she realized her dreams of travel on many cruises and tours until his death.
Betty was a devoted mother, a loving friend, and a faithful servant of God. Her perpetual smile and generous spirit are missed by her immediate survivors, who include daughters Anne (Chris) Simerman and Kathy (Steve) Adair, step-daughter Marvetta Myers, grandchildren, Alison (Larry) Park, Emily (Mark) Strigl, Benjamin (Julie) Keck, Logan (Suzi) Simerman, and Lauren Simerman, and numerous nephews, nieces, and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by husbands Paul Keck and E. Eugene Jordan, son John Keck, siblings Alice Gongwer and James Gehr, and son-in-law Kurt Simerman.
Arrangements by E. Harper & Son Funeral Home included a private graveside service, held previously. Betty's life will be celebrated in a memorial service at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7211 Stellhorn Road, at 6:00 p.m., Friday, August 5th, with calling two hours prior at the church. Preferred memorials are to the Alzheimer's Association.
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