Groff Funeral Homes
1607 East Perkins Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: 419-626-3632
Fax: 419-626-2445
Email: info@grofffuneralhomes.com
Website: http://www.grofffuneralhomes.com
View All Obituaries from Groff Funeral Homes
Betty L. (Gurtz) Thompson, 98, of Sandusky, passed away Friday, March 3, 2023 at her home of 59 years, with Teresa, her daughter and caregiver, by her side. She was listening to her favorite song, "Time to Say Goodbye", how befitting.
Born in Castalia, Ohio, on February 27, 1925, the first daughter of Harold and Grace (Schwochow) Gurtz. Her father passed when she was only 13.
She attended Margaretta Schools until 1941. She left school to work at Trojan Power Factory to help support her widowed mother and sibling Irene during the depression, as well as to support the war effort. From there she went to work at Philco, where she was wooed by a guy named Joe, with a Hershey bar. And the rest is history.
She married Joseph E. Thompson on August 6, 1946. He was a veteran in a division of the Army/Air Force in WW II. They went on to have four children: Frederick J., Thomas D., Timothy J. and Teresa A. Thompson. They were married for 55 years until his passing in 2001.
In 1964, they built a new home in Perkins Township, where she resided for the next 59 years. Following a successful removal of a brain tumor at age 90, she rehabbed and then went into an assisted living facility and hated every minute of it. She was able to return home with the help of her daughter, as well as an occasional aide and ongoing therapy.
After raising her family, Betty went back to work in 1966 at Sears Roebuck in catalog sales. She retired after 26 years, as head of telephone sales in 1992.
Betty never had a driver's license, Joe drove her everywhere, until he was diagnosed with macular degeneration. Betty obtained her first license in 1998 at age 73.
Another milestone for Betty came after Joe's passing. It was divine intervention at his funeral mass. She decided to become a Catholic and entered into RCIA or Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. With Linda Smith as her sponsor, she became a Catholic on the Easter Vigil of 2002.
She started another chapter, traveling with her daughter Teresa. Although she never flew in a plane, there were cars, ferries, busses and trains involved. Her favorite was Mackinac Island.
Basketball was always a passion of hers. It began watching her son Fred play center at St. Mary's in 1966, going 23-1. She was heartbroken when they didn't make the finals. Then as a Cavs fan since their inception in 1970. With her second chance at life in 2015, she was able to "Witness" the 2016 Championship from her couch.
Another interest was flower gardening, in particular, roses. She had several beds until a deep freeze destroyed them. She resorted to annuals and then perennials, but always had her flowers. Her son Tom put a greenhouse in the backyard in 1969, carrying on the tradition.
Due to balance and other health issues, she was in and out of facilities but she never gave up. She took up cornhole, it helped with her balance and made them keep score. She even got Cubii for home.
Her final accomplishment was getting her high school diploma at the age of 97. With the assistance of Margaretta Schools and the V.A. she was awarded her diploma, Class of 1943.
Betty is survived by her sons, Frederick J. (Martha), Thomas D. (Jean) and daughter Teresa A. Thompson. Four grandsons, Lucas, Kevin (Brittany), Thomas (Erin Nichole) and Nathan (Rachel Whittaker) Thompson. two great granddaughters, Teagan and Kniley Thompson. Sisters, Rosemary McDowell and Martha Ebner. Nephews, Leon Pitzer and Rob McDowell and niece Jan Brothers. Special neighbors, Annee and Andy. Special friends: Dick Marko, Nancy Miller, John Rogers, Mary Rose Hayes and Susan Missig. Aides: Pam and Haley. And a host of others, too many to mention.
In addition to her husband Joseph and son Timothy (in infancy) she was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Chester J. Polta, sisters, Irene Pitzer and Marie Polta, brothers-in-law Robert McDowell and David Ebner, as well as Joe's family.
Friends may call on Thursday, March 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Groff Funeral Home & Crematory, 1607 East Perkins Avenue, Sandusky. Prayers will be recited at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home on Friday, March 10 followed by a mass of Christian burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 429 Central Avenue, Sandusky. The Reverend Jacob George will officiate. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Sandusky.
Memorial contributions can be made at Fifth Third Bank, 2211 Hayes Avenue, c/o Teresa Thompson to be dispersed to Sandusky Parks for a bench and/or plaque in her honor. Contributions may also be made to St. Mary's Church, Sandusky Central Catholic or to the Athletic Association.
