BETTY J. BLAISING

Betty Jane Blaising was a loving, strong, resilient woman whose focus was never on what she had, rather, her focus was on what she could share with those around her. She often affirmed If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.She was a fun-loving and compassionate woman who was guided by an unwavering faith that was her constant companion.Sharing with others the joy found in knowing Jesus Christ was Betty Janes main mission in life.Committed to family, a loving wife and devoted mother, she found true contentment when surrounded by those who she loved.Life will never be the same without Betty here, and the memories she leaves behind will be lasting treasures for years to come.

Until the historic crash of the stock market in October of 1929, the Roaring Twenties were a vibrant time in our nations history when prosperity dominated the economy. Radios, affordable automobiles, and motion pictures in both color and sound were signs of the time when the world of flight soared to new heights with Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. It was during this time that Betty Jane was born on November 6, 1927, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her parents were Blanche M. Marker and Charles Hagen.Many of her formative years were spent in Fort Wayne where she was raised by her grandparents, Pearl Ethel Marker Keiser and Charles Marker. BJ, as she came to be known, was a student at local schools including Fort Wayne Central High School until her grandmother Pearl and step-grandfather Jake moved to Edgerton, Ohio, to own and operate a grocery store and some cabins as well. Once in Ohio she attended high school in Edgerton and went on to graduate with the class of 1944.

Life forever changed for BJ when she met the young man with whom she would share many years of her life. His name was Richard Dick Wagner, and they met in the eighth grade at Bells Skating Rink. They became high school sweethearts and fell in love. Dick volunteered to serve in the Navy after high school and was stationed on a submarine during WWII.At the same time Betty had moved to Ohio with her grandparents.

With a desire to establish a life together, the sweethearts were married in November, 1944. Together Betty and Dick happilywelcomed their daughter, Vicki, into their hearts and home. As a family, memories were made cooking together for family dinners and get-togethers, camping at the Dunes and fishing at Tri-Lakes. Betty was deeply saddened with Dicks death in January of 1994 after 49 years of marriage.

Throughout her life BJ was known for her strong work ethic. Not long after getting married she worked as a clerk typist for GE. Later, she began caring for children, and starting in 1958 she spent some time working as a cashier at Rogers Grocery Store. Their dog Rena loved Betty so much that she continually followed her walking to the worksite that was over a mile from their home. The bulk of Bettys career was spent working in the printing department for Allen County where she remained for 35 years before retiring in 1995. While there Betty composed over 2,000 forms and printed numerous others. During this time she also worked for Fashion 220 and was quite successful, too, as she even earned a company car.

All who knew Betty would agree that she was a bustle of activity. Shortly after graduating she became active in the Fort Wayne Civic Theater where she was known as Jane OHagen.Later, Betty was active with the Republican Party and she campaigned for Senator Homer Capehart. When relaxing at home she enjoyed watching comedies like The Carol Burnett Show and The Jerry Lewis Show, and she was always willing to watch a good love story on television as well.She loved a good clean joke and enjoyed laughter.BJ loved shopping and was the ultimate bargain shopper who was forever looking for and enjoying a great deal. She enjoyed gardening and regularly tended to her roses, lilies, and a variety of vegetables. Whatever she planted, wherever she planted it, itgrew with great life force and beauty. You could say she had a green thumb. (She was half Irish, you know!) With her love of nature, Betty also liked watching the birds and feeding the wildlife outside the home that she shared with her third husband, Stephen. Together she and Stephen also enjoyed going out to eat and ballroom dancing.

Faith was always an important cornerstone in Bettys life. She and Dick were members of St. John Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne before joining First Christian Union Church. After she and Stephen were married, Betty joined the Laud Christian Church in Laud, Indiana. She loved reading the scriptures and was focused on discipling others to know the Lord Jesus Christ. She loved to sing hymns and praise to the Almighty.As someone who was filled with a generous spirit, BJ could often be found giving money to children at church to put in the church offering. In her mother Blanches later years, she conscientiously guided the care she needed.Betty kept herself surrounded by angels, and Vicki always gave her something with an angel on it at Christmas to remind them both of Psalm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.Bettys prayer partner Genois continues to be a beacon of unconditional love and support throughout the years.

When reflecting on the life of Betty Jane BJ Blaising, it is clear to see that no one met her and left unchanged. She was quick to forgive and never judged others while offering love without condition, as well as her opinion, too. Betty was kindhearted and generous beyond measure to all. She will be deeply missed; her legacy, deeply rooted in faith,will remain a part of all who were blessed to know and love her.

Betty Jane BJ Blaising, of Columbia City, IN, died at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2014. BJs family includes her husband, Stephen H. Blaising; daughter, Vicki (Thaddeus Bryk) Wagner-Bryk; step-daughter, Stephanie Blaising; step-son, Christopher Blaising; and step-grandchildren, Ryne, Jenna and Logan Blaising. BJ was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Dick Wagner, and her second husband, Don Strutz in 1996.

Visitation is from 2-8 p.m. Thursday, March 13, 2014, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2014, at the funeral home with visitation one hour prior. Pastor James Clifford will be officiating. Memorials may be given in memory of Betty to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.