Betty Joan Klemme, age 97, of West Lafayette and formerly of Fowler, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026. She was born on January 6, 1929, in Franklin, Indiana, the daughter of the late Roscoe and Opal (Sowders) Sparrow.

Betty attended PS#57, Indianapolis Vocational and Technical High School and Butler University, in Indianapolis. She was recruited by the Freeland Park, IN high school's superintendent and took a teaching position there in 1950. After her children were in school, she later taught at the Stockland, IL grade school and St. Joseph's elementary school, in Kentland IN.

Soon after she moved to Fowler, near Freeland Park, she met this young farmer. He was smitten by her beauty, intelligence and love of sports. She married, Robert Paul Klemme on December 27, 1952, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Indianapolis, IN. They had four children over 12 years.

Moving from the big city to the farm was a major adjustment that Betty made with both grit and grace. She was a great cook, whose meals were at 7, noon and 6 (on the dot). She also delivered mid-afternoon snacks to Paul, while he was in the field! She canned and froze vegetables from an ample garden and was a specialist with desserts.

During her sophomore year at Butler, she was baptized into the Catholic faith and confirmed September of 1947, at St. Joseph's; setting the way as a faithful servant throughout her life. Betty was fiercely instrumental in promoting changes within the church at large and the St. Mary's Dunnington parish. She and dear friend, Delores Kirsch, were first ever female lectors and ministers of the cup within this parish.

Outside of church this tenacity was evident as she served within Benton County Homemakers Extension President and a 4-H leader. Later Betty served as a Purdue CARET delegate, advocating for Purdue University's College of Agriculture and Extension.

Betty was married to Paul for nearly 67 years prior to his passing, October 31, 2019. She is survived by her children, Rick (Cindy), Mark (Sherry), Maureen (Russell Sutton) and Pat (Teresa); her grandchildren, Sarah (Tim Rush), Ryan (Ana Caresano Garay), Amy, Paul, Michael, Noah, Samantha and Zoe; and her great-grandchildren, Sam and Celia. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

The family extends its thanks to the Westminster and Redcrest Hospice staff, especially her caretaker, James, with special appreciation to Father Bob Klemme whose constant visits were both comforting and valued by Betty.

Visitation will be, Friday, September 11, 2026 from 10 AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM, with Rosary at 9:45 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 205 South Chestnut Street, Earl Park, IN, with Father Robert Klemme officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Lafayette Diocesan Foundation (Memo: St. Mary's Dunnington Cemetery Perpetual Care) PO Box 1687, Lafayette, IN 47902-0260 or online https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Form/730c467f-aec6-4ba7-87b6-5b940362b5a7 or Hoopeston Animal Rescue Team (901 W. Main St., Hoopeston, IL 60942 or online https://hartshelter.org/donate ) or Redcrest Hospice, 210 Meijer Drive Suite A, Lafayette IN 47905. Shoemaker Funeral Home, Otterbein, is assisting Betty's Family. Visit Shoemaker Funeral Home-Otterbein, Indiana Facebook page or www.shoemakerfh.com to leave any condolences or to share a memory or photo of Betty.