Betty Jane Tice Kauper

RICHMOND, Ind. – Betty Jane Tice Kauper, 96, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, June 3, 2017, at home. Betty, born on Dec. 23, 1920, was the youngest of six children of Louis and Clara Slonaker Tice. She grew up on their Arba Pike farm and was a lifetime Richmond area resident. Baptized in December 1936 in the Chester Methodist Church, she was confirmed in St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in August 1943 and remained active until her death. After graduating from Morton High School in 1938, she attended and was graduated from Reid Hospital School of Nursing in 1942. Betty was a member of the hospital’s general staff when she married Ezra C. Kauper, a lifetime Richmond resident, on Feb. 12, 1943. She later was a volunteer both at the hospital and with the Wayne County Public Health Department. An avid reader, she also enjoyed walking, baking for friends and family, and traveling with Ez when he retired after more than 48 years as a salesman for Adam H. Bartel Co. A favorite destination was the Great Smoky Mountains. The couple’s three surviving children and their spouses are Tim and Mary Kauper of Bloomfield Hills, MI; Phil and Elaine Wikstrom Kauper of Beaumont, TX; and Debbie and Jim Coonan of Portland, OR. Ezra Kauper died in March of 1999, and a third son, Mark Kauper, died in April 2007. Grandchildren are Jimmy Coonan and Catie Coonan, both of New York City; Annie Coonan of San Francisco; and Sarah Kauper of Philadelphia. She also is survived by nieces, nephews and cousins, including Phil and Barbara Jenkins of Richmond, Dick Berry of Fountain City, Bobby and Ginger Hetisimer of Greens Fork, and Suzy Tice Lafuse of Liberty, all of whom met often for Wednesday dinners at MCL. A special debt is owed to Annie Stewart and Debbie Gray for their kindness and faithful care during Betty’s last year. Visitation for Betty Jane Tice Kauper will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at St. John Lutheran Church, 501 South 7th Street, Richmond. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at St. John Lutheran Church with Rev. John Place and Rev. Joyce Gerwing-Grimm officiating. Burial will be in Lutherania Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 1710, Richmond, IN 47375 or Wayne County Special Olympics, P.O. Box 42, Richmond, IN 47392. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Betty Jane Tice Kauper

December 23, 1920 - June 3, 2017