Esther Johanna Betts

Esther Johanna (nee: Couture) Betts, received into Glory while at home, with daughters and Elizabeth Harris present, on Sunday, May 22, 2011, at 10 30 p.m. She was born August 16, 1927, to Robert J. and Alma Couture.

Following graduation at Washington Park High School, Esther graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1949 and continued at Racine's St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in August 1952. On January 17, 1953, Esther married Donald Richard Betts Sr., of Corning NY, whom she'd met at Moody Bible
Institute, at Racine's Gospel Tabernacle, now Calvary Memorial Church of Racine, WI.

They continued their ministry as missionaries to Tanganyika (Tanzania) East Africa in 1956 with two small children, Donald Jr. and ElLois Esther. Esther worked as a Nurse Midwife, while Donald worked as an itinerant evangelist and hospital administrator with Africa Inland Mission. While in Tanganyika, Esther gave birth to Rebecca Sue (Betts) Harms and Grace Evelyn (Betts) Crispell. Upon returning to the States, Esther and Don Sr. made their residence in Racine, continuing ministry in the Lord's service. Under the auspices of Calvary Memorial Church and with another couple, they laid the foundation for the Northside Calvary Church, 5734 Douglas Ave. A second son was born to Esther and Don, Steven Glen Betts.

Esther worked at St. Luke's Hospital in the maternity, labor and delivery units until retirement. Esther continued church ministry as director of Pioneer Girls, Sunday School teacher, soloist, choir member and Deaconess.

Esther follows her husband Don (Feb 2000) into Glory and is survived by her son Donald (Cindy) Betts Jr. of Kenosha, WI; ElLois Betts of Racine; Rebecca Harms of Racine; Mark Harm of Racine; Grace (Ed) Crispell of CA; and Steven (Heidi) Betts of Whitmore Lake, MI. Esther is survived by six grandchildren, Stephanie (Matt) Lawson, Jamie (Katie) Smith, Zachary (Arezou) Harms, Benjamin, Amelia and Abigail Betts; and five great-grandchildren, Aidan Hubbard, Kristian Smith, Claire and Sophia Lawson and Katelyn Smith. Esther was preceded in death by two older brothers Robert (IL) and Eugene (OH) Couture. There are numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, May 27, at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Ave., Racine, from 9:30 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m. with Rev. Nathan James officiating.

Private interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park. Esther requested and the family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The International Students Fund, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL.

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361