Betty Lou (Varenkamp) Hale

Betty Lou (Varenkamp) Hale, 89, passed away on July 1st at her daughter’s home in Albuquerque, NM, surrounded by loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fredrick Anthony Varenkamp and Ethel Marie Benedict; siblings; husband, Gilley; grandson, Raudy Steele; and great-grandson Zachary Steele. Betty Lou is survived by her children, Danny (Mary Sue) Hale; Karen Curry; and Linno (Randy) Steele, as well as eight grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Betty Lou was born in Alamo, Texas on August 13, 1932, the youngest of 6 children: Fred, Loucille, Russell, Lloyd (Bud), and Bill. She graduated Las Cruces Union High School in 1948 at 16 years old. Shortly after, she met Gilley Hale, her husband of almost 67 years. They wed on April 28, 1950, and their family grew to include their son, Danny, and daughters; Karen and Linno. Betty Lou and Gilley went on to raise their children and live as active members of their church and Las Cruces community for the next 66 years.

Betty Lou took true delight in the young people around her. As a mother, she served as a cub scout leader and assistant girls scout leader, and she worked as a kindergarten teacher for 17 years at College Heights Kindergarten. When her children grew older, she loved partnering with her husband, and her daughter’s soon-to-be-in-laws, Rick and Karen Steele, in youth ministry at church. She cherished her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was affectionately known as Mimi to her family and many others. She shared many skills and special moments with her grandchildren, teaching how to bake and make fudge, completing sewing projects, coloring pictures, cutting out paper snowflakes, sharing her love of old movies, and tucking away special treats to pull out of her purse and share. She had a distinct and infectious laugh that came easily and sparked joy in those around her.

Betty Lou was also a lover of the arts. She was a talented musician, a soloist who was often featured in her church, university, and community choirs, especially at the Easter sunrise service. Even during regular Sunday worship services, you could frequently hear her strong soprano voice rising above the rest, singing the descant in “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Their home was often filled with the sound of her beautiful piano playing and she instilled a love of classical music in her children. She enjoyed attending the university and school theater productions, especially when they featured her grandchildren. But in true balanced fashion, she was also an avid sports fan who was frequently seen cheering on local sports teams.

Her talents extended to her great love of sewing. When her girls were growing, she sewed most of their clothes, including both of their wedding dresses. She later developed a passion for quilting and gifted all of her children, grandchildren and almost all of her great grandchildren with individualized quilts that will be cherished for years.

Betty Lou took great pleasure in her family. She was proud of her Dutch heritage and her youth in the South Valley of Texas. She loved to camp and hunt with her husband, kids and grandchildren, delighting in the beauty of creation. But she took an even deeper delight in the Creator. Betty Lou walked with God all of her years and He was her greatest joy and comfort. In her later years, Psalm 23 was her favorite passage of Scripture, and she would recite it daily, even until the day of her passing.

Services to celebrate her life will be held both in Albuquerque and Las Cruces.

In Albuquerque, visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 20th from 10:30am-12:30pm at FRENCH-Wyoming. The funeral service is scheduled for 4:30pm at Providence Presbyterian Church, officiated by Randy and Rick Steele.

On Tuesday, July 26th at 2:00pm there will be a Reception of Remembrance at University Presbyterian Church in Las Cruces.

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Betty Lou’s life and faith in the Lord.