Betty Jane Bernshausen's Obituary
Betty Jane Bernshausen, age 89, of Spring, TX, entered into the presence of the Lord on March 30, 2025. We rejoice in the promise of eternal life.
Betty was born on July 10, 1935 to Grace Irene Perdue Russell and William Aubrey Russell in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from Lamar High School (Houston, TX) in 1953. She went on to study English at Rice University where she was an active member of the Elizabeth Baldwin Literary Society, graduating with a BA in English in 1957. She was always proud in claiming her Rice education over the years, as she corrected her children’s and grandchildren’s grammar and won heated games of Scrabble.
Betty married Weldon William Bernshausen in 1958. Betty and Weldon went on to have two children, Teri and Kent. Betty was a dedicated and loving mother, taking care of her family’s needs as Weldon’s career took them to Kansas City, MO and Oahu, HI before they settled for the remainder of their married life in Dallas, TX in 1968. A devoted follower of Christ, Betty was active in ministry and volunteerism at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (PHPC) throughout her 47 years in Dallas. She was ordained as an elder in the Presbyterian church in 1983 and was a devout, lifelong student of the bible. She was an avid gardener and shared her love of flowers and talent for flower arranging through decades of service on PHPC’s Flower Committee, purchasing and arranging flowers for Sunday services and special events. She served for multiple years as President of the PHPC Growing Saints Garden Club. Betty had a generous heart for seniors and an overflowing prize closet during the many years she ran the BINGO program at Grace Presbyterian Village, where Weldon was on the Board. During her later years in Dallas, she enjoyed new friendships and active membership in the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic educational organization for women. Betty’s kindness and service encompassed all aspects of her life.
Betty will be remembered for her deep faith, love of family, ease at entertaining and delicious holiday meals, her beautiful hybrid tea rose gardens, tough Domino game and memories with family at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO. We will miss her wonderful sense of humor and beautiful smile.
Betty was predeceased by her parents, Grace Perdue Russell and William Aubrey Russell; husband of 44 years, Weldon Bernshausen; cousin, Betty Driskell (husband Robert Driskell); and step-sister, Marianne Funk.
She is survived by her children, daughter Teri Peabody (husband Richard) and son Kent Bernshausen (wife Katy); sister, Marie Rupp (husband Peter); grandchildren, William Peabody (wife Joy), Daniel Peabody (wife Laurel), Blake Bernshausen (wife Morgan) and Hannah Bernshausen; great grandchildren, Dash Peabody and Drake Peabody; niece, Erin Carr (husband, Gayden) and great nephews, Ryan, Colin and Dylan Carr.
A funeral service will be held on April 14, 10:30am at Restland Funeral Home in Wildwood Chapel, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, Texas 75243. A reception will follow the service in the Restland Event Center building at the corner or Restland Rd and Greenville Ave.
In lieu flowers, donations can be made to the ASPCA or a charity of choice.
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