Betty Schwendeman July 27, 1926 - March 14, 2025

 Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Schwendeman

Peacefully entered eternal rest on March 14, 2025, at age 98.

Betty was born on July 27, 1926 in St. Louis, MO.  She graduated from Rosati Kain High School. Betty met her sweetheart, Charles “Bud” Schwendeman when she was 16 years old on a blind double date at the Coronado Hotel in St. Louis.  They sat out on the patio, and danced to the band. They were married on April 10, 1948 in St. Ann Catholic Church in Normandy, MO.

Betty spoke fondly of her years working at Monsanto prior to having children; however, her family was her true-life passion. Betty and Charles were blessed with four adoring children.  Their legacy also includes 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren all modeled after the love and devotion to family that Betty and Charles demonstrated.

Betty enjoyed sharing her life with her loving family and many friends while playing cards in several bridge groups throughout the St. Louis area, being in quilting clubs, planning holiday parties, supporting her children and grandchildren at their sporting events and hosting countless family meals shared in their home. Betty was a skilled baker with her specialty being her cookies, many that were sent as care packages to children and grandchildren. Every December she would treat us all to multiple varieties of her legendary Christmas cookies. She was also involved with her children’s schools through the years.  Betty was active in all of her parish communities with the longest time being at Ascension Parish Chesterfield for over forty-seven years.

Betty was a very dedicated sports fan. She enjoyed watching and attending football and basketball games, as well as golf tournaments.  Following the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team was more than a pastime for Betty.  We often said that she could have been the team manager as she shared the team statistics and the lives of the players so proudly.   Travel was also important to Betty to spend time visiting family.  She and Charles had the opportunity to enjoy several international adventures as well.

Betty was a woman of faith and true character, always honest, full of love and integrity, and devoted to her husband and extensive family.  She will be remembered for the incredible wisdom she shared with everyone she met, always with humor and her famous one-liners. She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful team at Friendship Village Chesterfield for helping us care for our Mom during the eight and a half years she lived there, especially in her final years.

Betty was the beloved wife of the late Charles “Bud” Schwendeman. Devoted mother of Barbara (Roger) Nieman, John (Peggy) Schwendeman, Mark (Jane) Schwendeman, and Mary (Barry) Brown.  Cherished grandmother of Amy (Eric) Mackey, Keith (Courtney) Nieman, Aaron (Tyne) Nieman, Mallery Schwendeman, Madisen (Adam) McNeil, Jonathan (Ashley) Schwendeman, Michael (Clarissa) Schwendeman, Emily (Brian) Woods, Lauren Brown, and Connor Brown. Treasured great-grandmother of Cait, Colin, Braden, Lily, Kemper, Lakelyn, Jack, Claire, Ava, Oliver, Charlie and Will. Dear daughter of the late Bess and Cletus Byrne of St. Louis, MO.  Dear sister of the late Audrey Merkle, the late Donald Byrne, and the late Cletus “Bud” Byrne Jr . Dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend to many.

Services:   A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 31st at Ascension Catholic Church, 230 Santa Maria Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63005 at 10:00 a.m. The Mass will be live-streamed at https://asc.church/live/.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:  Rosati-Kain Academy, 4389 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108 rosati-kain.org noting in your donation – in memory of Betty B. Schwendeman.