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Betty Erde Obituary
Erde began as a female stunt pilot as a teenager in the 1940s.
She achieved dozens of firsts: the auto industry's first female test driver in 1954; the first woman to set a world land speed record in 1956 (145 mph at Daytona Beach); and the world's land speed record for women in 1965, hitting 315.72 mph at Bonneville, Utah. She was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Erde flew planes into her 70s. When she was 82, she drove around her retirement community in a red Corvette.
She died Aug. 31 in The Villages, the central Florida city where she lived with her husband, Allan Erde.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
36 Entries
Linda Dwyer
September 22, 2011
God Bless You Betty on your Final Flight! You are truly an amazing woman that I have admired my entire life. Betty & Don were our neighbors in Willis Michigan before they moved to Florida. They were definately very good role models...Our family (Dwyer's) were very close friends. My brothers held the ribbon poles for her to do her inverted ribbon cutting with the Little Stinker at many air shows at their house. I have always admired Miss Betty, all of her records (land & air) are very impressive. We stayed friends with them & her parents & her grandparents in Florida - we visited once a year. We miss them all. They will be in our memories & hearts forever. Thank You Allan for taking care of our friend for the past few years. God Bless you and keep you well.
Michael Fiore
September 18, 2011
Met Betty in 1947 while in aircraft & engine mechanic school run by her Dad at Peter O'Knight airport on Davis Island in Tampa FL. Had the privilege of working on her plane "Little Stinker" RIP Betty
william smith
September 17, 2011
Wow!! What a role model for so many. She accomplished things that so many people would not attempt.
September 17, 2011
May it comfort you to know that God, as well as others, care about your feelings at this time. Very sorry for your loss.
slb - Indiana
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Marilynn
September 16, 2011
Erde family, I am so sorry for your loss. Hold onto those wonderful memories you have and may they bring you a smile when you need it most. May God give you peace and comfort with the many memories that you had with Mrs. Erde.- Romans 15:4.
September 16, 2011
Go West Betty. And say hi to my dad, George F. Young to whom you sold your plane the "Litter Stinker". He loved that aircraft. God Bless.
Carol Ann Young Dickman, St. Augustine, FL.
Theresa Campbell
September 15, 2011
May the family of Betty Skelton Erde find peace and comfort from knowing God cares for you and will see you through this difficult time.
September 15, 2011
The world has lost another great role model and person. Never met this lady but I was sad to hear of her passing. Best wishes to her family.
Ken Atkins
Texas
sheryell pinkney
September 15, 2011
Dear Mr.Erde, my deepest prayers are with you and your family.
prayer;........... While the world around me is in such turmoil, your peace lives in my heart, as I look for your triumphant return!
Victoria&Andrew VZj
September 14, 2011
GodBless you
rip`BETTY~
September 14, 2011
Dear Linda and Family,
I was so sadden to hear about the loss of your sister, I know you were very close to her and that this has come at a complete shoke to you all. My sincerest condolences go out to you and the entire family! May you take comfort in knowing that she is with God and in a much better and peaceful place.
With deepest sympothy
-Jim Pugliese and Family
September 14, 2011
Met Betty and her then husband, Don Frankman in the 80's. Don was my cousin. She was quite a lady. Her "Lil Stinker" stunt plane is on exhibit in the Smithsonian. My sympathies to the Erde family.
Richard Frankman Kissimmee, FL
Bonnie Cook-Fiore
September 14, 2011
So sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to Betty's family.
Beth
September 14, 2011
My sincere condolences to the Erde family. May the words found at Job14:13-15 bring you comfort.
September 14, 2011
My sympathies to family and loved ones. May the God of all comfort be with you.
Cathy Kennedy Harbin
September 14, 2011
My Father worked on her plane, "Little Stinker", at the Peter O. Knight Field in Tampa. She had special pedals because she was so petite. Another treasure of an era gone by.
Joyce Jones
September 14, 2011
Our sincere sympathy to the Erde Family. May your memories bring you comfort and strength during this difficult time. 2 Cor. 1:3,4
Nicole
September 14, 2011
I'm sorry to hear of Mrs. Betty Erde's passing. She truly was a "pioneer" in the true sense of the word. My prayers are with her family and friends during this distressing time in your lives.
Love
Nicole
M H
September 14, 2011
May God comfort you through all these distressing trials. (Nahum 1:7).
September 14, 2011
having lived in winter haven during the 60,s thru 80,s Betty sold real estate with her then husband Don as fast as she flew her airplanes. her exploits were well known by all. As a Village resident myself from 2001 thru 2010 i was pleased to hear that Betty had moved to Americas friendliest hometown. i knew that she would bring her excitement with her. I AM SURE that her last flight was to heaven where she will continue to inspire us. Bill Robinson, winter haven/villages
Kathy Stolz
September 14, 2011
To the Erde Family and Friends,
My condolences to you and your families on the loss of Betty. She was a truly blessed, she had accomplished and set new standards for woman in the motor sports world. May she forever ride the hwys in Heaven and forever be a legend to the females of racing. with Deepest Sympathy,
Ed & Carla Bickel
September 14, 2011
One Great lady, I met her in my youth at Indy. She was in a driving suit and I thought it was cool. A driver, a lady, The racing Family mourns her loss. Ed & Carla Bickel
earle w.
September 14, 2011
God be with her family and close friends. Hear my prayer, oh Lord.
September 14, 2011
What a woman! Go with God in peace - but rest? Never!
September 14, 2011
You go girl, now you can fly with the angels . R.I.P.
Henryk Zaleski
September 14, 2011
Rest in peace.
Robyn
September 14, 2011
To the Erde family: I am sorry for your family's loss. Mrs. Erde sounded like an amazing woman. I hope your family will gain comfort from the encouraging words of the Bible (Isa. 25:8).
September 14, 2011
Betty enjoyed her life to the full.May her fond memories be remember by her family for a life time.Betty had a special mightiness has she lived a long life.May the God of all comfort be with her family.Psalms90:10.
Vicki Hicks
September 14, 2011
Mrs. Erde was a true trailblazer for women racers and for women who simply love cars. May God comfort her family.
R Golay
September 13, 2011
To the the family of Betty Erde - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that she will be missed by many.
Karen
September 13, 2011
Never heard of you dear Betty until this obituary and now I will never forget you and for the example you set for those women who followed for what you were first at...
Respectfully,
September 13, 2011
God Bless and THANK YOU for opening up the path for other woman to follow...
Alvera Conyers
September 13, 2011
Reve;ation 21:4 states: And he will wipe out evey tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away
Christine Gibson
September 13, 2011
Family
She had a need for speed and now has moved at Godspeed to eternal life. She is a trailblazer for woman and all people. Thanks for path you have given us to go down.
Sincerely
steven stancia
September 13, 2011
R.I.P.
Charlotte Cain
September 13, 2011
What an amazing woman who lived life to the fullest. Who did not just sit around and exist like most do.
Enjoy Heaven Ms. Betty ...the FINAL FRONTIER for those such as you.
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