Betty Jane Donze

Betty Jane Donze of Ste. Genevieve died on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at her home. She was 95 years old.

She was born on September 14, 1923 in Ste. Genevieve, a daughter of Alexander P. Schwent and Elizabeth A. (Hermann) Schwent.

She was married to Elmer L. Donze on June 19, 1950, and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by one daughter, Dorcas Grass and her husband Carl of Ste. Genevieve; one daughter-in-law, Anne Donze of Perryville; two sisters-in-law, Aileen Portell of Ste. Genevieve, Betty Lou Donze of Edgewater, Florida; five grandchildren, Jack Donze and his wife Sarah, Joy Donze, Alexandra Bergtholdt and her husband Terry, Arthur “A.J.” Grass, Carl Grass and his wife Stephanie; and eight great-grandchildren, Andrew, Jadyn, Emersyn, Zoey, Coen, Lainey, Lennon and Eden.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Elmo L. Donze; and her brother, Stanley Schwent and his wife Pat.

She was a longtime and active member of GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve and was president from 1957 to 1958. She was a member of the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve, and she was active with the Girl Scouts.

She owned and operated Dunker Photography Studio.

She also owned numerous businesses with her husband under Donze Enterprises, primarily KSGM Radio from 1950 to 1987. She received the Lifetime Service Award from the Ste. Genevieve Area Chamber of Commerce in 2007.

She was well known for her ability to plan events and she was always the life of the party.

Funeral services were scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the Church of Ste. Genevieve. Rev. Edward Nemeth was to officiate. Burial was to be at Valle Spring Cemetery in Ste. Genevieve. Basler Funeral Home of Ste. Genevieve handled the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve, the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve or the Catholic Church of Ste. Genevieve.

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