Betty Lou (Patterson) Bruehl
Jun 8, 1934 - Dec 10, 2011
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger
 

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Betty Lou (Patterson) Bruehl, 77 of Norman passed from this life at home in the company of her loving family on Saturday,  December 10th, 2011 after a brief illness. She will be missed tremendously by all who knew her.

Betty was born June 8, 1934 in Oklahoma City, the only child of Jesse and Gertrude Patterson. Her father was a construction foreman during the depression and moved their family out of state several times before settling in Norman during Betty’s early teens. She attended Norman High School for four years, graduating in 1952.

While a senior in high school, she was introduced by a mutual friend to James (Jim) Bruehl of Norman. Betty and Jim began dating, and although Jim soon began serving two years in the Army, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, they continued their courtship while Betty attended the University of Oklahoma. The pair married on May 7, 1955 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Norman.

Betty went to work for OG+E in Oklahoma City until the arrival of her first child in August, 1956. She then dedicated the next 20 years to caring for and raising her children. In 1976, she went to work in the Cleveland County Treasurer’s office, retiring in 1998. Betty spent her later years pursuing her many interests, including quilting, sewing and knitting, reading, flower gardening and the occasional garage sale. She loved traveling with her husband to Hawaii, Canada and all corners of the country, making a special trip in 2000 to her ancestral home of Ireland. Betty was an active member of St. Joseph’s and especially enjoyed serving as a Golden Ager there.

Betty was preceded in her passing by her parents.

She leaves on this side her husband of 56 years, Jim, four children, including daughters Charlotte Hayes and her husband Greg, Patricia Cejda and her husband Kirk, Ramona Nelson and her husband Roger, and son David, all currently living in Norman, 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, c/o St. Joseph Catholic Church, P O Box 1227, Norman, OK 73070.  Vigil Prayer services will be held 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2011 in the Chapel of the Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook St., Norman. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2011 in the St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 N. Porter, Norman with interment following in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.