Betty Ann Kish

Betty Ann Kish (nee Schmidt), 92, of Columbia died at home June 1, 2016.

She was born Feb. 4, 1924, at home in Columbia, daughter of the late Urban and Anna Schmidt (nee Einwich).

Betty was a 1941 graduate of St. Theresa Academy of East St. Louis, and an honorary graduate of Gibault Catholic High School. A busy mother of 11 children, she was the quintessential homemaker, sewing clothes for her children, cooking, and canning and preserving fruits and vegetables.

She was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church and the Altar Society. She was also a member of the Columbia Historical Society and the American Legion Post 581 Auxiliary. She loved to sing and dance and was one of the original members of the Strassenfest Singers and Dancers. Betty loved to travel with her husband and visited many countries.

She is survived by seven sons: Gerald, Dennis (Nancy), Michael (Jeanne), Thomas, Steven (Debbie), Patrick and Albert Jr. (Patresa); and four daughters: Mary (John) Olsson, Susan Settle, Margaret (James) Burns, and Joanne Stahlmann.

She is also survived by 27 grandchildren: Jeff, Jared, Andrew, Ben, Beth, Tim, Dan, Alex, Casey and Courtney Kish; Janna Jackson; Amy Meyer; Andrea Biske; Kristi Kish-Stuart; Emily Waver; Samuel, Anna, Naomi, Eve and David Olsson; Nicole, Rebecca and Lucy Settle; Stephanie, Joshua, Jessica and Emma Burns; and 21 great-grandchildren: Cameron and Nathan Urlock; Lilianna and Lathe Kish; Mitch and Abbie Meyer; Elena, Spencer and Maria Biske; Shawn and Joey Stuart; Brendan and Ethan Gamble; Thomas, Chloe, Parker, A.J. and Logan Kish; Rosie and Ellie Waver; and Lilith Settle; along with sister Pearl Mueller, brother Richard (Sue) Schmidt, and sisters-in-law Julie Schmidt Gregory and Betty Schmidt.

She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Albert G. Kish Sr., on Aug. 27, 2003, daughter-in-law Rubymaria Kish (nee Vogt), sons-in-law Steve Stahlmann and Kenneth Settle, and brothers Robert and Urban Schmidt Jr.

Visitation is June 3, from 4 to 8 p.m., and June 4, from 9 to 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church, Columbia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated June 4, at 10 a.m., at the church, Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating.

Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Columbia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eugene J. Schorb — Immaculate Conception Parish Fund for Education, Gibault Catholic High School Educational Endowment Fund, or the Catholic Education & Activities Center Fund.