Betty Jane McKenzie

Mass of Christian Burial for Betty Jane McKenzie of Mt. Vernon, Texas formerly of Adrian, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Harrisonville, Missouri. Visitation from 10 - 10:45 a.m. followed by Rosary at 10:45 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Harrisonville. Arrangements under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555), Butler, Missouri. Burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Betty Jane Kemmerer McKenzie, lovingly known as Betty, age 93 of Mt. Vernon, Texas formerly of Adrian, Missouri passed away on November 20, 2025, surrounded by family and love. She was born on March 23, 1932, to Charles Elias and Erna Marie Adeline Reiter Kemmerer at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, Betty lived a life marked by devotion, creativity, and quiet strength.

She grew up in Hardin, Missouri, and graduated from Hardin High School in 1950. On a snowy evening-December 30, 1950-Betty married Russell Jerome "Jerry" McKenzie at St. Columban's Church in Chillicothe, Missouri. Their union was a deeply spiritual experience and the beginning of a lifelong partnership rooted in kindness, faith, and shared adventure. Betty and Jerry were true soulmates, bound by love, faith, and devotion. She loved his beautiful tenor voice at Mass as he stood next to her, and she treasured the many years he would sing to her and their children. Betty cherished the memories of her Scotch-Irish husband and the good father he was. Jerry passed away and entered God's Kingdom in 2006.

A devout Catholic throughout her life, Betty centered her days on prayer, gratitude, and service. Her faith was a constant source of comfort, direction, and grace, guiding every chapter of her journey.

Betty's life journey took her across Missouri, Wyoming, and even to Berchtesgaden, Germany, where she lived during her husband's military service. She later pursued further education at Longview Community College in 1988 and obtained her insurance license in 1984, assisting her husband in business while maintaining her role as a devoted homemaker.

In 2021, Betty moved to Mount Vernon, Texas, where she became a member of Sacred Heart Parish. There, surrounded by a warm and supportive community, she enjoyed peaceful days with her beloved cats, Erna and Addie, who never left her side.

Betty adored having a large family and loved the sound of laughter and conversation filling the walls at each of their family gatherings. She found joy in camping, gardening, traveling, visiting with loved ones, and reading poetry and nonfiction history. She especially enjoyed visiting with each of her many grandchildren, listening to their stories and hearing about their lives. She was an amazing listener and always made her grandchildren feel seen and heard.

Her favorite things-chocolate, ivory and rose hues, Peace Roses, Big Band music, and the fall season-reflected her gentle elegance and timeless taste. The continuous tick of the grandfather clock in the evening became a quiet symbol of the peaceful, warm home she created-a place where everyone felt safe, welcomed, and deeply loved. She cherished tending to her rose bushes and took pride in keeping a cozy, beautifully arranged home. She loved being dressed up, always with her nails painted (usually a shade of red), and cherished wearing jewelry even for simple outings to the grocery store.

Though she could prepare a fine meal from anything the hunters in the family-especially Jerry-brought home, Betty's kind heart toward all living creatures meant she never hunted or fished herself. Her compassion extended to every corner of her life, and she taught her children to treat everyone with kindness and dignity.

Betty was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church prior to her move to Texas and an associate member of the Missouri Retired Teachers. She loved reading poetry and creating a home filled with warmth and grace.

Above all, Betty was the true Matriarch of the McKenzie family-protective, adoring, and graceful. She was endlessly devoted to her family and was deeply proud of the love she and Jerry built together through six children, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Her life was a testament to devotion, gentleness, faith, and unwavering kindness.

She is survived by four daughters, Cecelia McKenzie-Schilling and husband Franz of Archie, Missouri, Mary McKenzie-Dunning and significant other Bruce of Natoma, Kansas, Elizabeth McKenzie-Smith and husband Philip of Mt. Vernon, Texas and Kathleen Winn and husband David of Drexel, Missouri; two sons, Robert McKenzie and wife Rita of Adrian, Missouri and Patrick McKenzie and wife Jacqueline of Kansas City, Missouri; 17 grandchildren; numerous great and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, John Kemmerer and wife Rebeca of Mexico; and one sister, Sharon Erwin of Harrisonville, Missouri. She will be remembered for her quiet wisdom, her radiant warmth, and the beauty she brought to every moment of her life. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Russell Jerome McKenzie; two grandsons, Christopher Martin Schilling and Ryan Dunning; one great-grandson, Mark Joseph Schilling; and two brothers, Charles Ernest Kemmerer and Harold Edward Kemmerer