Betty Louise Harrison

Throughout her rich and rewarding journey, there was nothing that was of greater significance in the life of Betty Harrison than being surrounded by her loved ones. She was a gracious and kindhearted woman who generously served others in ways both great and small. It was easy to see that Betty was married to the love of her life, and together they exemplified what marriage is truly intended to be as they were companions, soul mates, and best friends. Guided by an unwavering faith, she was never overbearing or boisterous in her beliefs, rather, it was through the way she lived her life every day that she was a true example of what genuine faith looks like. Although things will never be the same without her here, Bettys timeless legacy will be carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

It was an exciting time to be an American during the 1920s as innovation was taking us new places. Jobs were plentiful, the unemployment rate was low, and prosperity was experienced by the majority of American families. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great excitement in the lives of a young couple from Wolf Lake, Indiana, as they were blessed with the birth of a baby girl on May 11, 1923, in Goshen. Born to Theodore and Velma (Daisey) Trimmer, Betty Louise was joined in her family by two sisters, Theodora and Joanna, and later her half-brother, Dave. While still a young girl her parents were experiencing marital difficulties, so they sent her to live with her aunts. Betty flourished in their care, and they treated her better than they did their own children. She always felt very blessed for their love and support. Bettys parents later divorced, and she remained in the care of her aunts until her mother remarried to Lattie Tumlinson. While growing up Betty was very much a typical girl of her generation. She loved roller skating and was a cheerleader at Wolf Lake High School.

After graduating from high school in 1941, Betty often grabbed a ride with a friend to Fort Wayne for work. It was through her job there that Betty met the young man with whom she would write a love story that would span nearly 71 years. His name was William Nathan Harrison, and although he lived in Jefferson Township of Whitley County, the distance couldnt deter true love as he frequently came up to Wolf Lake to see his sweetheart. Some of Bettys favorite dates were when they roller skated in the tent that was set up with a wood floor each summer in Wolf Lake. Although she had told herself that she was never going to get married after what she witnessed with her parents, William showed her what true love really is.

Since these were the days of WWII, they knew it wouldnt be long before William was drafted, so they were married on April 25, 1942, in Jefferson Township. They were right as he was drafted that September, and he was sent overseas to fight for the preservation of the freedoms that we still enjoy today. During that time Betty and William were blessed with the birth of their son, William Ed, at the Lucky Hospital in Wolf Lake although William was still overseas in Africa and Europe serving in the United States Army Air Forces.

After being discharged in November of 1945, William returned home and was shocked to see how well his wife had listened to him when he had told her to check the oil in the brand new car he had bought before he deployed - although he did forget to tell her to get the oil changed! Betty and her husband later welcomed two daughters, Susan and Jane, into their hearts and home at Lucky Hospital even though they lived south of Columbia City. All of their children were such an unexpected blessing as a previous health issue left Betty unsure of her ability to ever have any children at all. Even though William was the one who was in the military, Betty was the one who was the strong willed one as well as the disciplinarian in the family.

Betty was one of the first of two school cooks at the Aboite Township School in Fort Wayne. This came about because she and her sister-in-law, LaVera had jokingly told the township trustee that they would be the cooks there if he could get a school opened up. Betty and LaVera were even responsible for buying all the cooking supplies and ingredients they would need to home cook the meals. She retired in 1986 after 25 years of dedicated service.

As her children moved out and had families of their own, Betty continued to delight in her family while making the most of her time. She loved hosting family gatherings as they combined both her love for her family with her love for cooking. Her beef and noodles, goulash, and gooseberry pies were among the family favorites. Betty cherished her role as a grandmother and loved spoiling her grandchildren whenever she could. As one who enjoyed crocheting and making both afghans and quilts, as her grandchildren married Betty made the newlyweds a quilt of their own. She also made doilies that were often given to family and friends. She was a member of Jefferson Chapel United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school classes and Bible School. Betty was also part of Womens Society of Christian Service. During her younger years she bowled in a Columbia City bowling league and also had an extensive doll collection.

A woman of grace, strength, and courage, Betty Harrison was a blessing to all who were near. She never let things bother her and took everything in stride as she wasn't one to focus on herself or complain. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was even blessed to become a great-great-grandmother, too. Selfless in every way, she will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Betty Louise Harrison, of Fort Wayne, died at 11:44 a.m. Friday, December 12, 2014. Bettys family includes her son, William "Ed" Harrison of Goshen; daughters, Susan Shaffmaster of Fort Wayne and Jane Graham of Spokane, Washington; half-brother, Dave (Lucille) Tumlinson of Jackson, Michigan; six grandchildren including, Dawn Fuemmeler, William Bill Harrison, Scott Shaffmaster, Barb Harrison, Chris Graham and Beth Harrison; 13 great-grandchildren including Morgan Fuemmeler, Eric Fuemmeler, Sydnee Shaffmaster, Drew Fuemmeler, Zackary Harrison, Arica Harrison, Tiffany Trauscht , Erin Shaffmaster, Kyle Shaffmaster, Ryan Fuemmeler, William Graham, Ben Graham and Averie Shaffmaster; and one great-great-grandson, Emory Little. Betty was preceded in death by her father, Theodore Trimmer; mother, Velma Tumlinson; husband, William Nathan Harrison on April 4th 2013; son-in-law, Richard Shaffmaster; sisters, Theodora Hurley and Joanna McClure; and granddaughter, Kelly Katherine Graham.

Visitation will be Friday, December 19, 2014, from 4 to 7 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services for Betty will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the funeral home with visitation an hour prior. Burial will follow Jefferson Chapel (Sand Bank) Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Jefferson Chapel United Methodist or Wounded Warrior Project.