Betty Lou (Ernst) Rethman, age 79, formerly of Loy Road, Fort Loramie, passed away of peacefully of natural causes Tuesday morning, February 25, 2025, at Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen, Ohio, where she had been a resident for five years.

She was born October 8, 1945, in Sidney, Ohio, to the late Clarence "Pete" & Zelma "Zip" (Baltes) Ernst. On September 27, 1969, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Fort Loramie, Betty married John D. Rethman who survives.

Also surviving are three children, Brad & Ann Rethman of Fort Loramie, Karla & Doug Larger of Minster and Kelly & Jason Borchers of Fort Loramie; 12 grandchildren: Jake, Paige, Claira and Frank Rethman; Kate, Anna, Grant and Grace Larger and Liv, Colleen, Camille and Elaina Borchers; three sisters, Connie Strobel of Troy, Carol Brewer of Tipp City, Shirley & Glen Hamilton of Toledo and a brother-in-law, Bill & Jan Rethman of Fort Loramie along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one brother, John & Barb Ernst and brothers & sisters-in-law: Bill Strobel, Larry Brewer and Jim & Beck Rethman.

A 1963 graduate of Fort Loramie High School, Betty went on to achieve R.N. nursing certification at the Cuyahoga Community College of Cleveland. She earned her B.S. degree in nursing from Bluffton University. In 2001, Mrs. Rethman retired from the Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy. She worked in the emergency departments at Troy and at the former Piqua Memorial Medical Center for a total of 35 years.

She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and St. Ann's Ladies Sodality. Betty was a founding member of the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad. She had been instrumental in building community support and recruiting volunteers; enabling the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad to be fully operational in 1975.

Betty enjoyed cooking and baking for her family and friends. She also loved visiting, playing cards and board games with her grandchildren. She especially enjoyed the holidays. She cherished her husband and shared a close bond with her sisters.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at St. Michael Church in Fort Loramie with Rev. John W. Tonkin presiding. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.

Family and friends may call Monday, 3:00 to 7:00 PM and Tuesday 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to the Fort Loramie Rescue Squad. Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.