Betty M. Rinderknecht

1926 - 2015

Betty Rinderknecht, age 88, died quietly in the morning on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at a nursing home in The Woodlands, Texas, after several years of diminishing health. Born on October 21, 1926 in Pine Valley, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of the late Walter H. and Gertrude (Harkey) Watson. At the age of 4, Betty moved with her family to a farm in the James Fork community, between Hartford and Mansfield, Arkansas. Betty graduated from Mansfield High School in 1944 as Valedictorian of her class. She then attended nursing school in Little Rock, Arkansas; and worked in VA hospitals there, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio where she received her masters in surgical nursing. While in Cleveland she met her former husband, the late Robert E. Rinderknecht, MD. Betty and Robert had two children, William A. (Nancy) Rinderknecht and Janis E. (Dale) Andreas, who survive her. Bill and Jan live in Ohio and Texas, respectively. Betty had 9 siblings. Eleanor, Clarence O., Orville, Harry, Ezra, Othal, and twins D. Eugene and D. Imogene, all have preceded her in death. Her youngest brother, Chester R. (Georgina) Watson lives in Texas. Betty helped Robert set up a practice in Internal Medicine in Dover, Ohio. Betty was also involved in the Union Hospital Women's Auxiliary and the First Moravian Church of Dover. Betty moved back to Arkansas in 1964, where she again worked in hospitals as a nurse, charge nurse, and also did private duty nursing. She moved back to the family farm in 1972 to help care for her parents and brother Harry. She eventually moved to Texas along with her brother Harry, to be near her daughter, Janis. While in Texas, Betty worked in nursing homes until she retired. Betty enjoyed and is survived by her 5 grandchildren: Derek (April) Andreas, Robert P. Rinderknecht, Krista Rinderknecht (Charlie) McCorvey, Kyle Andreas, and Trevor Andreas, all who live in Texas. She is also survived by 3 great-grandchildren: Kivan Andreas, Branwen Andreas, and Keller McCorvey. In addition, Betty is survived by many, many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces. Betty was loved by all her extended family and was the self-appointed keeper of the Watson family history. She will be missed. A service of celebration for her life is pending for Saturday, September 5, 2015 at the James Fork Baptist Church, with burial in the church's cemetery, which borders the former family farm.