Obituary for Elizabeth “Betty” Brown

Elizabeth Anne Bellinghausen Brown, "Betty", age 88, longtime resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2015 in Ponca City.

Betty was born on November 9, 1926 to Louis Leonard and Martha Susanne Schiltz Bellinghausen on a family farm near Ponca, OK. On August 27, 1947, she married George Linden Brown at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City and had nine children. She and Linden made their home at Chilocco, and Rural Ponca City became their home in 1954. Through the years, she worked as a teacher at the rural schools of Liberty, Round Grove, and Finley near Ponca City, Teachers Aid for Special Education at Lincoln and Union Elementary Schools, ultimately retiring in 1993.Years after her retirement from teaching many students still brightened her day by recognizing her and her devotion as a firm but loving teacher and person while they introduced her to their families.

Betty was so very caring, kind, and patient with all those who she came into contact with. As a member of Civil Defense, Round Grove Extension Club , President of the District Legion Women’s American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, and member of St Helena’s Guild as well as other groups she led both an active, civic minded, and home centered life. Betty’s big smiles and truly heartfelt love for everyone will be sorely missed by all.

Rosary services will take place at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2015 in the Chapel at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 20, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ponca City with Father Kevin Ratterman Officiating. Burial will occur at a later date in The St. Mary’s Cemetery in Ponca City. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Survivors include her loving daughter: Barbara Anne Whalen and husband Peter of Shelbyville, TN, their children Christi Canada and husband Jared of Lubbock, TX, Christopher Whalen and fiancé Hunter Day of Sedalia,KY ; Son, William L. Brown and Suelette of Ponca City, stepchildren Steve and Eric; Son, Curtis M. Brown and wife Lou of Taylor, TX, their children Alicia Smith of Austin, TX, Courtney Brown of Taylor, TX , Son, Joseph T. Brown and wife Mary, children, Jennifer Brown and Joey Brown of Idalou, TX ; Son, Wes Brown and wife Melissa of Ponca City, children Blake Brown and Nicholas Brown; Son, Christopher P. Brown and wife Trudy of Ponca City, stepchildren Mandy Hutsell, Phillip Martin, Mark Adam Bright, Mary Bryant, and Matt Bright all of Ponca City; Son, James D. Brown and wife Kathleen, children Katie Brown, Katrina Brown of Ponca City; siblings: Lorene Buettner of Edmond, OK, James Bellinghausen and wife Betty Anne of Hurst, TX, Mary Catherine Kirkpatrick of Poughkeepsie, NY, Patty Jean Kastanek of Boulder, CO, and Robert Bellinghausen and wife Jane of Hallsville, MO; great grandchildren: Megan Smith and Anthony Carlos of Austin, TX and Patrick Linden Brown of Taylor, TX; step great grandchildren Payne Bryant, Layla Seidel, Jonas Sims, Reagan Sims, Aaron Bright, Kylee Bright, Bella Bright, and Hanna Bright all of Ponca City. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, sons: David A. Brown and Edward C. Brown, grandsons, Jimmy and Justin Brown, and step great granddaughter Danica Bright.

We will miss her "ever present smile, contagious laugh and her kind, giving spirit"

Memorial Contributions may be made to the St Judes, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, OK 74601 or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 408 S. 8th St., Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home