Betty Kaatz

Betty Jean Kaatz went to her heavenly home October 26 ^th , 2020 at Community Hospice, Jacksonville, Florida.

Betty was born on June 13 ^th , 1924 to George and Maude (Reece) Reynolds. She grew up in Taylor with one older sister, Vivian. She graduated from Taylor high School in 1943. Betty married her high school sweetheart, Vernon Polzin, who was killed in World War II. After the war, she married Marvin Kaatz. To this marriage came two children, Gary and Teresa. She worked off and on in the dry-cleaning business as a bookkeeper. For a time, she and Marvin owned Kaatz’s Café at Norman Crossing. Her favorite job was being a Greeter at Walmart. Betty often said that she never met a stranger, and being a Greeter gave her the opportunity to meet and greet everyone who came through the door. She was a proud Texan, and everyone knew it. At Las Palmas in Palm Coast, Florida, they called her Texas Betty. She was a collector of all sorts of things, and has left a trail of Beanie Babies from Texas to Florida. In her latter years, Betty loved playing bingo. The day she was confined to her room, because of COVID, was the beginning of her decline. No longer being able to play bingo or talk to everyone was a sad turn of events.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Marvin; and her sister, Vivian Koneschik. Betty is survived by her children; Gary Kaatz (Jackie), and Teresa Doerr (Richard); four grandchildren, Michael Kaatz (Maggie), Amy Atchley (David), Karen Latuso (Steve), and John Doerr (Ashley); five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 12 ^th , 2021, at the Taylor City Cemetery.