Betty Ruth (Ferguson) Emrich

Betty Ruth Emrich, 94, of Tipton, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021 while under the care of Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, and was an eye donor for the Iowa Donor Network. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 10 at 10:30 am at the First United Church of Christ in Tipton with a short Visitation one hour prior, starting at 09:30am. Burial will be in Woodbridge Cemetery, Buchannan. Memorial funds have been created for Camp Courageous, the First United Church of Christ and Tipton’s Cedar County Senior Dining (since she was on the Board of Directors and delivered Meals on Wheels for years). Cards and memorials may be sent to Fry Funeral Home, PO Box 30, Tipton, IA 52772, in c/o the Betty Emrich family. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com. Betty was born on January 20, 1927 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was the daughter of Lawrence and Sarah “Gladys” (Hertz) Ferguson. Betty graduated from high school in Mechanicsville, went to Coe College for two years and completed her BA at the U of I. She then returned to Iowa to complete two Masters Degree’s, one in Guidance Counselor and Health and the other in Psychology. Betty was an educator in Tipton (K-12) and coached boys’ and girls’ basketball, swimming and gymnastics. She was certified for K-14. Betty was very active in her church, serving as: Deacon, Elder, choir member and the Endowment Chair. She was past president of the: Tri Sigma’s, Tipton School Foundation, Iowa Partners of the America’s, Friendship Force, and the Mary Jean Emrich Effort Scholarship Committee. She was a life member of: the National Education Association, the Iowa State Education Association, the State, District, and National American Association of Health for PE and Recreation and Dance, the Retired B.P.W. Lunch Group, the Retired Elementary Teachers Lunch Group, and the Mechanicsville Alumni Association; and she served in the Community Choir for Special Events. Betty was united in marriage to Melvin Douglas Emrich on February 15, 1945 at the Mechanicsville Presbyterian Church. Doug passed on April 27, 2013. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Jody Lynn Emrich on February 2, 2016. Betty was a very vibrant, personable, well-educated, respected and admired woman that cared for others and she was a resident of Tipton for 70 years. Betty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Lynn Emrich. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Gladys; and sister, Mae Ellen Nassif (2013).