Betty Ann Moebs 69, Cordry Sweetwater Conservancy District (Nineveh), passed away Aug. 29, 2012.

She was born Oct. 15, 1942, to Louis and Helen (Gillis) Rysdon in Evergreen Park, Ill. A native of Chicago, Betty lived in Indianapolis for 40 years, enjoying the last six years in Nineveh at Sweetwater Lake. She graduated from Christ the King Grammar School and Academy of Our Lady High School both in Chicago. Betty earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, a master’s degree in early childhood development from Purdue University, a master’s degree in pastoral theology from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and was a member of the Ministers of Providence. Over the course of many years, Betty taught at Mother McAuley High School in Evergreen Park, Ill., Sacred Heart Kindergarten in Indianapolis, Roncalli High School in Indianapolis and Ivy Tech Community College in Columbus.

In addition to teaching, Betty felt a calling to serve others. For over 10 years, Betty worked as the chaplain of the Marion County Children’s Guardian Home in Indianapolis. She ministered to individuals with HIV/AIDS, terminal illnesses, and those grieving the loss of a loved one. For 27 years, she served as a Red Cross-certified water safety instructor, lifeguard and water walk/water aerobics instructor at the Benedict Inn in Beech Grove. As a member of the in-service team that started the board of education system for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Betty helped conduct seminars throughout the archdiocese. She served as a member and officer of several boards of education and the Inter-Deanery Coordinating Committee. For many years at both Saint Roch and Saint Agnes parishes, Betty was a eucharistic minister and brought communion to those in nursing homes and to the homebound. Betty was active as a CYO coach at Saint Roch parish and in many other volunteer activities in both parishes. Betty was known and respected as a person who cared for all with whom she came in contact. 

Betty is survived by her beloved husband of 46 years, David Moebs. She is also survived by a brother, Richard Rysdon (Jan) of Tampa, Fla., and a sister-in-law, Pat Rysdon of Oak Lawn, Ill.; two nephews, Michael and Steven Rysdon of Evergreen Park, Ill.; a niece, Lynn Pieroth of Crestwood, Ill.; three adored sons, Brian of Fort Wayne, Gregory (Larissa) of Avon and Matthew of Greenwood; two adored daughters, Michele Mateja (Timothy) of Zionsville and Heather Frank (Kurtis) of Wheeling, Ill.; and 13 treasured grandchildren, Kayla and Jacob Moebs, Daniel and Morgan Mateja, Phillip Campbell, Zoey and Chloe Moebs, Sollis and Micah Moebs, and Brendan, Malia, Erich and Elaina Frank.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Louis Rysdon.

Betty passionately devoted her life to her family and the causes in which she believed. She was known to leave milk on the breakfast table to rush to the aid of a friend. She enjoyed cooking (with great skill and enjoyment by all), exercising her extensive artistic talents (e.g., banners), playing bridge, and relaxing with friends, family, and her husband, Dave, in their Brown County retreat. Betty delighted in being a grandma to her 13 grandchildren. Her writing interests included journaling (both as a writer and teacher) and publishing poems, short stories and children’s books. Each year her Christmas letter to friends and family provided a family update in either prose or poetry and in more recent years included a pictorial collage of her treasured grandchildren. She was brilliant; she loved to laugh; she was the personification of fun. Heaven just got bubblier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be donated to the Brown County Community Foundation (988-4882) in order to fund an endowed scholarship in Betty’s name for college tuition for someone wanting to be a teacher. Betty was a member of the board of directors of the foundation and the chairperson of their scholarship committee.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 at G.H. Herrmann Greenwood Funeral Home at The Gardens at Olive Branch, 1605 South State Road 135, Greenwood. Additional visitation at 10 a.m. will be Wednesday, Sept. 5 at Saint Roch Catholic Church, 3600 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at the same location. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, 433 W. Troy, Indianapolis.