Betty Joann Barta

Betty Joann Barta, 70, of Lexington, Nebraska, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, October 23, 2010, at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska. She was born December 8, 1939 at Colome, South Dakota to John and Elsie (Schwartz) Ropers. She moved to Nebraska at age 6 with her family. She graduated from Oconto High School in 1958, and was united in marriage to Harmon Barta on June 22, 1958, at First Lutheran Church at Buffalo, Nebraska. Harmon and Betty lived in and around Lexington most of their marriage. Betty was a homemaker and raised 7 children. After raising her children she worked cleaning motel rooms and later as a housekeeper at a Lexington Nursing home. Betty loved to garden, grow flowers, and sew things for her family and friends. She was never idle and always doing something for her family or for someone else. She was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday and weekday school, sang in the choir, and was in various ladies groups and also helped with family night on Wednesday nights. She has been a tremendous witness of her faith to her family and anyone she came in contact with by spreading the word of God and His love. In July of 2002, she had an accident painting her home that left her paralyzed which only gave her another witness opportunity. In the last 8 years she has made many friends during all of her hospital and rehab hospital stays. She recently moved to Perkins Pavilion in Hastings, Nebraska where she lived until her death. Betty is survived by her loving husband: Harmon Barta of Lexington, Nebraska Her children: Osa Joann (Kenneth) Brooks of Hastings, Nebraska; Harmon M. Barta, Jr. of Hastings, Nebraska; Chester Barta of Clay Center, Nebraska; Terry Barta of Exeter, Nebraska; Bryan (Mary) Barta of Brainard, Nebraska; Elsie (Art) Underwood of Lexington, Nebraska; Travis (Rebecca) Barta of Bellevue, Nebraska. Twelve grandchildren, two great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Two brothers: Louie (Deloris) Ropers of Sargent, Nebraska Henry (Wanda) Ropers of Rockville, Nebraska Two sisters: Anna (Edmond) Graczyk of Sumner, Nebraska Helen (Don) Barta of Lexington, Nebraska Betty was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Minnie Hansen. Funeral Services will be Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington, Nebraska with Pastor Michael Gruhn officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Lexington. Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 26, 2010, from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington. Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.