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BETER Bruce Edward Beter On Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 9:07 a.m., St. Peter opened wide the gates of Heaven as Bruce Edward Beter triumphantly crossed the finish line and entered our Heavenly Father's Winner's Circle. Amazing father and husband, Bruce, age 58, ended his suffering of nine and a half years from a traumatic brain injury in the arms of his devoted wife and surrounded by family and the dedicated staff of Touro Infirmary. Bruce is survived by his bride of 25 years, Karen Rodriguez Beter and the pride and joy of his life, his two adoring children Brett Edward Beter and Christina Elizabeth Beter. Bruce also leaves behind many loving and devoted friends and cousins. Bruce's love of sports played many roles throughout his life. Bruce was a member of the Brother Martin High School 1969-70 Undefeated Basketball Team that won District, State and National Championships his senior year. Bruce loved fishing and reeled in fish from the waters of Louisiana, Texas, Florida, the Bahamas and Hawaii. His trophy catch was a 692 lb bluefin tuna caught in Bimini, Bahamas. Bruce loved football; his first date with Karen was a Saints game. But, Bruce's most cherished sports role came as the father/ personal coach of Brett and Christina as they participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track at Girard playground. Bruce was an Asst. Coach for Brett's baseball team and an active parent volunteer at Girard. Bruce's passion for thoroughbred horse racing took him to many racetracks across the United States, which included trips to attend both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. Bruce was the inspiration for the name of the popular multiple stakes winning Louisiana bred horse TheBeterMan Can. Bruce loved food and music. He was a food broker for over 20 years working for several Food Distributors before switching into Parking for the New Orleans Hotel Industry right before he was hurt. Attending Jazz Fest each year fueled Bruce's appreciation for food and music. Bruce's love of Music was the one gift that stayed with him even after his brain injury. The Bruce Beter Music Library and Media Center will be built at the Touro Infirmary Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit in his honor. Bruce loved vacations on the beach and big birthday parties for his children. His favorite song was "We are the Champions"! Bruce attended St. Francis Cabrini grammar school, graduated from Brother Martin High School and Loyola University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. At Loyola he was a member of Sigma Alpha Kappa Fraternity. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Henry J. "Dunk" Beter, Jr. and Doris Mary Esneault Beter, a sister, Candace Ann Beter, and his grandparents: Henry Joseph Beter, Sr. and Lillian Wolff Beter, Virginia Cornelia Lera Esneault and Edward Louis Esneault and all of his aunts and uncles. The Beter family would like to thank the dedicated staff of the Touro Infirmary Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit for their loving and compassionate care during the last 9 .5 years. There are no words to adequately describe the family's gratitude for the outstanding personalized care and professionalism demonstrated by the Touro staff members at ALL levels. Over the years there have been SO MANY individuals that have touched their lives profoundly that they cannot begin to list names. The Beter family is eternally grateful to everyone at Touro for every minute that they gave Bruce such world-class care. Their passion for both their profession and to Bruce was spiritually uplifting each and every day. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans. Visitation will be held at the Church from 11 am to until the time of Mass. The burial will be in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations to the Touro Infirmary Foundation to support the Bruce Beter Music Library and Media Center, 1401 Foucher Street, New Orleans, LA 70118. Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
I just heard about Bruce and I am so saddened by the news. I had asked about him when I heard that SAK had a reunion recently. I knew him at Loyola. He was so nice, a real gentleman, and such fun. I am glad to know he had such a happy life and wonderful family. I know he will be truly missed....
Donna Streckfus Block
November 16, 2011
Gonna miss ya Bruce!
Touro Infirmary
October 17, 2011
Dear Karen,
Thank you so much for calling us at Advantage. We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We are all keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Advantage Nursing Services
October 3, 2011
Dear Karen
I remember you very well from your days at SEHO and I just wanted to express my sympathy at your sad loss. Time passes all too quickly and takes many of our loved ones along with it. God bless znd comfort you and your family.
Ann Brewer
September 2, 2011
KAREN: I AM SO SORRY FORYOUR LOSS..NO DOUBT A LOVING SOUL..WHO I'M SURE WILL BE REMEMBERED ..GOD REST HIS SOUL...
WARMEST REGARDS
MIKE CONIGLIARO.
MIKE CONIGLIARO
August 31, 2011
Karen,
Thank you for your living example of the Lord's love and faithfulness. I pray that He will bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, be gracious to you, lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.
David Champagne
August 29, 2011
Karen, Christina, and Brett, I was sorry to read about your loss. I felt especially compelled to write and say how beautiful the tribute was in the paper. Beautiful, and deserving. You are an amazing family. Our prayers are with you.
Wendy and David Vitter
August 28, 2011
Dear Karen and Family, so sorry to hear of Bruce's passing. He was a kind and gentle man and will always be remembered fondly.
Lenora Hackney
Lenora Hackney
August 28, 2011
Karen and family,
I was so saddened to read of Bruce's passing.
I remember him as handsome and athletic. I attended Loyola with Bruce. He was so kind.
Please know that you are in my prayers during this difficult time.
Suzanne(Suzie) Katz Farrar
August 28, 2011
Dear Miss Karen,
I am so glad I got to meet you and Mr Bruce at your 25th
anniversary. He seemed like a
really sweet person. I will be
praying for you. olivia lechner
Olivia Lechner
August 28, 2011
Dear Karen, Brett & Christina,
My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Bruce is now in heaven watching over you.
He was such a kind person
and I know he loved you all so
much. I met Bruce in 1980 at
First Homestead & Savings where we worked in the marketing department. It was my first job out of college. Bruce was a good friend. I will
never forget when he met you Karen and later told me how much he loved you. You were
his angel. What a strong love
you two shared. You and your
family are such an inspiration.
You all fought so hard
together. God bless you. I feel
privileged to have known you
and Bruce. Love to you all, Shirley Strahan Lechner and Family
shirley lechner
August 27, 2011
My prayers,sympathy and condolences to all of Bruce's immediate and extended family.
Remembering our many years from Loyola through Touro, though I am saddened by your death, I'll hold dearly only the best of those times. You were truly an inspiration to us, and a profile in courage, Bruce!
You fought the good fight, now rest in peace, dear friend!
J. Eichorn
August 27, 2011
Karen,Brett&Christina, Just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear the news of Bruce's passing. Our adventures together were many and varied. Florida trips,fishing on Jay Bird's pier in Waveland,The International Mixed Cabbage Ball League, Jazz Fest,and the occasional visits to the Fairgrounds are just a few of my memories with Bruce. Karen, to say you were his better half is a vast understatement. Brett & Christina, you were truly his pride and joy. Take comfort that Bruce can rest now. He was much loved, and will be missed by all that knew him. Celebrate his life. His old friend, Kerry Comiskey.
August 27, 2011
karen,
my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
ashley bedney
August 27, 2011
Karen,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Christy and Joe Carter
August 27, 2011
My thoughts are with you all.
Angie Teagle
August 27, 2011
Sorry for your family's loss.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.Nelson and Jared Juneau
August 27, 2011
Karen, it has been inspiring to be part of your and Bruce's life - my best wishes to you and your family. Godspeed, Brucie.
Stephanie Scholl, RN
August 27, 2011
Karen,
I was so sad when I saw the news of Bruce's passing in the paper today. He was one of my first speech therapy patients at Touro! I will never forget his smile, him always 'fishing' even from his bed & his love for The Beatles!! Keeping your family in my prayers during this difficult time.
Kelly Preskitt Scairono
August 26, 2011
I am so sorry for the loss of Bruce. I went to school with him at St. Frances Cabrini, and at Loyola where we were fraternity brothers. He was a wonderful person, and he will be missed by all.
Danny Folse
August 26, 2011
Karen, I am truly sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you....
Bob Nuss
August 26, 2011
Karen, I'm sorry for your loss, may God bless you and your family and grant you peace.
Ali Hamdan
August 26, 2011
Karen,
I am so sorry for the loss of your life. Bruce was a kind person. I remember first meeting him when he worked at the bank. He will be missed on this earth.
Stephens Barbe
August 26, 2011
Karen,We were so sorry to hear about Bruce, but I am sure that he is in a good place, making room for you and the children. He will always be in your heart! You and your family are in our prayers. The write up was beautiful, just like you..........
Frank & JoAnn Tarantino
August 26, 2011
Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. Bruce was a good man and father. God bless you and your children as he gives you comfort during your time of need. Thoughts and prayers Sandra Langenstein
sandra langenstein
August 25, 2011
Karen, I thought of you the day Bruce passed away when I read, "Love consumes us only in the measure of our self-surrender."
-- St Therese of Lisieux
Karen, your selfless love is an example for us to live out our faith. May Brett and Christina find comfort in knowing that they have such a great mother.
Mary Anne Hamdan
August 25, 2011
Karen. I read a quote on the day Bruce passed away and thought of you.
"Love consumes us only in the measure of our self-surrender."
-- St Therese of Lisieux
Your selfless love for Bruce is an example for us all to live out our faith. You are a living saint on earth. May Brett and Chrisitna find comfort in knowing they have such a great mother.
Love, Mary Anne, Ali, Jordan, Jason and Helaina.
August 25, 2011
May you find comfort in God's arms and know you are each loved and admired for your strength and Holiness. We Love you guys!..The Champagnes
The Champagnes
August 25, 2011
Karen--God bless you and the children as you move through this tremendous loss for your family. I will keep you all close in thought and prayer.
Shelly Latino (Gaudreau)
August 25, 2011
Karen:
Our thoughts and prayer are with.
Dwight, Melanie, Joey and Madeline
Dwight Fontana
August 25, 2011
Karen, So sorry to hear about the loss of Bruce. I never had the opportunity to meet him but from what I have read he was a very loving and caring individual. You and your family now have a very special Guardian Angel to look down on you and take care of you. It's so very hard to lose someone who means so much to you. Time will heal the hurt and loss. With the love and support of family and friends you will get by. Please know that you and your entire family will be in my constant thoughts and prayers.
Jeanie Favret
August 25, 2011
Karen, Brett & Christina
May the memories and love of God bring you comfort now and in the weeks and months to come. Bruce will be missed by us all .Our prayers are with you.
Ronnie, Sue, Lynn & Ronnie
Ronnie Ranatza
August 25, 2011
Karen, Condolences to you and the family.
Flo Bush/Liberty Mutual
Flo Bush
August 25, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Terry Meyer
August 25, 2011
My prayers are for you and your family.
Elva Bourgeois, LSU
August 25, 2011
Please accept our sincerest condolences on your loss. Karen, you and your family are an inspiration and you are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
- Melissa Tyler, Touro Infirmary Foundation
Melissa Tyler
August 25, 2011
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