Betty D. Kiefer, 91, Vero Beach
Betty D. Kiefer, 91, passed away in Vero Beach on April 16, 2018. She was born March 1, 1927, in central Iowa to Easter and Ray Showalter. The oldest girl and an independent spirit, upon high school graduation Betty moved to Detroit, Mich., where she attended Cosmetology school.
During this time, she met her future husband, Fred. They married in 1950 and celebrated 57 years of marriage together.
Betty retained her independent spirit while raising two children and continuing as the neighborhood’s hair dresser and friend.
Betty and Fred loved being at their cottage on Lake Brighton, traveling to see new places, yet they always had time to help others.
As a member of the Greater Beneficial Union (GBU) fraternal organization, Betty trained for and was a successful insurance agent for over a decade, even after a serious bout with cancer.
In 2014, Betty relocated to Florida to be closer to her daughter. Betty remained active, joining the Oceanside Rotary of Vero Beach, where she continued to demonstrate her “service above self” philosophy until her final days.
Betty is survived by her sisters, Joan Benedict and Gwen Smith, and their families; her daughter, Vicki (Russ) Soule’; her grandchildren, Will, Terry, Jim and Tammy; and great-grandchildren, Jason and David.
Betty was predeceased by her husband, Fred W. Kiefer; and child, Kip (Kathleen) Kiefer.
