Betty Lou Harber died peacefully at her home, surrounded by loved ones, on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the age of 97. She was the proud matriarch of a large and loving family of 12 children and their spouses, 49 grandchildren and their spouses, 96 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Betty was a graduate of Fort Wayne Central High School, a proud Fighting Tiger flag twirler. She married Louis Harber, Jr. on August 3, 1946.
Betty loved life and having fun. She was a champion roller figure skater at Bell's Roller Rink and an avid dancer that performed with the Petticoat-n-Pistols square dance troop and the Alley Cat dancers that entertained at local nursing homes. Betty was a talented member of the Fort Wayne All-American Kazoo Band, a dedicated Betty Boop fan, and enjoyed hummingbirds. Betty rolled with the Precious Blood Hi-Ho Bowling League and was a member of 50+ Ladies Group at Queen of Angels.
Betty worked for People's Trust Bank for over 20 years. She was a diehard, life-long Chicago Cubs fan, even through the lean years, and has the memorabilia, the homemade scorecards, and a brick dedicated at Wrigley Field to prove it. She often said, "Everyday was a blessing and a surprise." Her other favorite quotes included: "Dammit Bob … you're my favorite."; "I don't need a reason. I'm your mom!"; "What you want and what you get are two different things."; "You's guys!"; and "Criminy!".
Betty was always eager to blend her faith, family, and fun. Her popcorn balls and cupcakes funded many sports activities for St. Andrew's School. She authored the lyrics for the St. Andrew's School song. She was an active lay servant and Rosary Sodality member at St. Andrew's and Queen of Angels parishes. She also regularly offered spiritual devotions to the Blessed Mother and St. Gertrude the Great.
One of her greatest joys was seeing her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids having fun, especially at summertime pool parties. Betty loved to talk … and talk, tell stories, read, play with grandkids, sing, dance, shop (loved a good bargain and Darlington Holiday Warehouse), and watch her beloved Cubs. She had a running joke with her son-in-laws that she looked like "Helen Black" (Hell-In-Black). She loved tallying up her family tree, and she always remembered birthdays and celebrated milestones. She was quick to add a verse of, "May the dear Lord bless you," at the end of every Happy Birthday song, and signed every card, "God Bless".
Betty was preceded in death by the greatest love of her life, her husband (her Tiger), Louis; by daughters, Patricia (Mike), Jo Ann (Steve), and Annette (Kurt); and by grandsons, Andrew and Austin N. Betty is survived by sons, Louis (Torrey) and Robert (Melissa); by daughters, Georgette (Donald), Elizabeth (Mark), Mary (John), Kathy (Vince), Becky (Jay), and two more loving daughters; by 47 grandchildren, 96 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.
In her later years, when asked how she was doing, Betty would always say, "Well, I'm still here and I take it as the Lord gives it. One day at a time." Rest in peace, Betty.
In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations be made to the following organizations:

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
American Cancer Society
Belize Missionary - Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity - https://Solt.net