Gene Bottenberg

September 8, 1923 - January 6, 2016
Gene Laffoon Bottenberg, age 92, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. "Dorothy Gene" was the daughter of Guy Alexander and Bessie Viola Laffoon of Kansas City, MO.

Because there were five Dorothys in her 2nd-grade class, Gene decided to delete Dorothy and became simply "Gene" to her classmates, friends and relatives.

Gene graduated from Central High School in Kansas City, MO, in 1940, then Kansas City Junior College, and the University of Missouri in 1944. Her education was interrupted for a year while she served as a Pan American World Airways radio key operator in Brownsville, TX, in 1943. Gene married Robert Bottenberg, also of Kansas City, on August 24, 1946. They were married for 69 years.

Gene greatly assisted Robert, who was blinded by war wounds, with his postwar education at the University of Missouri and Stanford University. She recorded textbooks and reading assignments so Robert could complete his doctorate at Stanford. After Robert earned his PhD, the couple moved to San Antonio in 1953 and never left.

Gene was creative. She was a talented seamstress and lovingly produced countless clothes, costumes and cherished quilts for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed activities and friends in her quilt and garden clubs. She took painting classes and also enjoyed bird watching, photography and reading.

Gene was active in the community, holding several positions in her daughters' PTAs. Girl Scouts were a passion and she served as a troop leader, trainer and President of the San Antonio Council of the Girl Scouts. Gene also served as a volunteer in a pre-kindergarten program for disadvantaged children and in a special education class in the Northside ISD. She delivered meals for homebound seniors through the Jefferson Area Co-op for more than 20 years. She served as an Elder at Grace Presbyterian Church, taught multiple Sunday School classes and held every leadership position in the Women of the Church. She served on two pastoral search committees.

Gene loved to travel, attending many of the annual Blinded Veterans Association conventions with Robert. She was willing to try almost anything, including learning to ski in 1973 at the age of 50. She enjoyed annual ski trips with Robert until her last run in 1998, inspiring as she graduated from beginner to intermediate ski runs.

She will be remembered for her ability to take on a difficult problem and break it into smaller pieces to make the big one go away. She will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved her.

In addition to Robert, Gene is survived by her daughters: Julia Brooks and husband, Tommy; Ann Schindler and husband, Bill; and Janet Stafford; grandchildren: Kevin Schindler and wife, Courtney, Amy Schindler, Christopher Brooks and wife, Emilie, David Brooks, Lisa Brooks, Marshall Stafford and wife, Jennine, Julianne Lechtenberg and husband, Erik, and Garrett Stafford and wife, Lisandra; great-grandchildren: Madison, Sophie and Luke Schindler.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 16th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Porter Loring on McCullough. Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, January 17th at 3:00 PM at Grace Presbyterian Church, 950 Donaldson Ave. with Rev. Lorna Jean T. Miller officiating. A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 18th at 11:00 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Grace Presbyterian Church, 950 Donaldson Ave. San Antonio, TX. 78228.

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com

Arrangements with