Betty Marie (Bartels) Holtzen Obituary
She entered into her eternal rest after a tragic car accident near Oberlin, Kansas on July
20, 1990 at the age of 64 years, 1 month and 2 days.
In May, 1928, after the death of her mother, she made her home with her Uncle and Aunt,
Emil and Hilda Malchow. They became her foster parents. Betty was baptized and
confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Grace Lutheran Church in Hebron. She was a
graduate of Hebron High School and a Business College in Lincoln. On November 7,
1948 she was united in marriage to Irvin A. Holtzen. They welcomed 2 adopted children,
Michael and Lynn into their home.
Betty's greatest joy in life was serving the Lord and she did this so willingly in so many
different ways. She had served as a Sunday School, Midweek School and Vacation Bible
School Teacher and Superintendent. She held many different offices in the Lutheran
Women's Missionary League including being president of the League in Peace Lutheran,
the Hastings Zone and the Nebraska District-South (1980-84). At the present time she
was president-elect of the local league and on the planning committee of the Circuit
Mission Fair. She was active in Bible Study Groups and a member of the International
Lutheran Layman's League. For the past 5 years she and her husband had worked with
Laborers for Christ, building churches, etc. She will be remembered in these churches for
the special banner she made for each of them for their dedication services. Betty and Irv
were recently cited for their service to Concordia College, Bronxville, N.Y. for help in
renovating historic Stein Hall. They were awarded the college's Servant of Christ award.
Betty sang in the choir and often sang solos at funerals. Her favorite song was "How
Great Thou Art."
She was preceded in death by her parents, her foster father and brother, Dennis Malchow.
Betty is survived by her husband Irvin; son, Michael of Lincoln, NE; daughter, Lynn and
her husband, Michael Christman of Chino Valley, AZ.; her foster mother, Hilda Malchow of
Hebron; brother, Don Bartels of Freeland, WA.; her sister Lois (Bartels) Kleen of
Richmond, IN. and sisters Clarice (Malchow) Groeling of Littleton, CO.; Arlyce Malchow of
Omaha, NE. and LaVoris (Malchow) Fischer of Colorado Springs, CO. and many nieces
and nephews.
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know Him."