Betty Jane Boecker

Betty Jane Boecker, a dedicated, warm-hearted educator and mother who inspired her students to explore their curiosity and taught her family the values of selflessness and community before being called Home to her Lord on July 19, 2011, after a heroic battle against pancreatic cancer.

Betty was born on December 22, 1935, on a farm in the William Penn Community of Washington County to Gus and Gertie (Goeke) Mutscher. She grew up in Brenham, Texas, where she was baptized on January 19, 1936, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and confirmed into faith on April 2, 1950, at Grace Lutheran Church. She attended Brenham High School and Blinn College before earning her Bachelors of Science in Education from the University of Texas at Austin. She then embarked on a 36-year career teaching children, including 33 in the Spring Branch Independent School District. On July 10, 1965 she was united in marriage to Fred Boecker, Jr. in Grace Lutheran Church of Brenham.

Her faith and passion also led Betty to an active life outside the classroom. She was an active member of St. Mark Lutheran Church; the international honorary organization of women educators, Alpha Delta Kappa; President of the Northwest Harris County chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association; President of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Circle of Concern; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Outdoor Ministry of Texas.

Betty is preceded in death by her mother and father. She is survived by her husband Fred Boecker and their children, Julie Hardin and Scott Boecker, their spouses Ed Hardin and Virginia Boecker, along with four grandchildren, Jonathan Hardin, Jordan Hardin, Holland Boecker and August Boecker. She is also survived by two brothers, Goeke Mutscher and his spouse JoAnn, Gus F. Mutscher, and one sister, Marge Foelber and her spouse Dr. Herb Foelber. She also leaves behind numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends whom love and will miss her dearly.

Her life will be celebrated at 3:00 pm Sunday, July 24, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1515 Hillendahl, in Houston. Visitation will be from 6:00–8:00 pm with Prayer Service at 7:00 pm on Thursday, July 21, at Brenham Memorial Chapel. Graveside service will also take place in Brenham at 3:00 pm on Friday, July 22, at Prairie Lea Cemetery, located near Blinn College.

To honor her life of service to children the family is requesting that donations be made in memory of Betty Boecker to the Spring Branch Education Foundation, 955 Campbell Road, Suite 206, Houston, TX 77024 or online.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979-836-3611 www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com