92 of House Springs, Missouri died on Saturday, January 21, 2023. She owned and operated Betty’s Books until June 17, 2012. She helped start the Jefferson County Library in 1978. Betty loved reading, traveling the country with her husband and running her bookstore of 35 years.
She is survived by her husband of 73 years, James E. Stochl; her children, Linda Summer, John D. Vernita) Stochl, Donna McDonald, Debbie (Ted) Thurston, Sandra Whitford and Nancy Loughran; nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
SERVICES: Memorial visitation will be held at Kutis Affton Chapel (10151 Gravois Road) on Saturday February 11, 2:00-4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Open Door Animal Sanctuary appreciated.
I know her granddaughter, Sarah from school. I also shopped at Betty’s Books many times. She was such a sweet lady when I saw her there and I couldn’t have imagined anyone nicer to talk to.
Rest In Peace, you very much deserve it.
Her obituary does not do her justice. She was the gentlest of souls. She loved her books, chocolate wafer cookies, and chicken livers. She would always make her customers feel important, always ready to listen to whatever they had going on in their lives. She loved being outside at the lake, just enjoying the view or traveling to distant places in her books. She would never turn down a customer when they brought books in to trade, always wanting to give each tome a space on the shelves. Check inside your book covers for a Betty Boop stamp, and know that if it’s there, she blessed that book so that it made its way to you.
Betty you will be missed by many. You touched a lot of lives and imaginations thru your Books. I always felt welcome in your home.