Obituaries
Betty Ruth Johnston Lindner
- December 24, 2013
BETTY RUTH LINDNER
Betty Ruth (nee Johnston), died on December 24, 2013, surrounded by family members. She was 89 years of age and preceded in death by her parents, John A. and Mary V. Johnston. She is survived by her husband, Robert D. Lindner, Sr., and her four sons, Robert D. Lindner, Jr. (Paula), Jeffrey S. Lindner, A. Bradford Lindner (Marsha) and David C. Lindner (Joann). She is also survived by her brothers Robert A. Johnston and John David Johnston (Maureen). Loving grandmother to her twelve grandchildren, Jolie Foster-Berman, Jill Boldt (Jonathan), Trisha Flynn (Jason), Robert Lindner III, (Kali), Leela Lindner, Sita Lindner, Emma Lindner, Will Lindner, Sadie Lindner, Avery Lindner, Andrew Lindner and John Lindner, and her seven great-grandchildren, Olivia Berman, Nathan Berman, Keira Flynn, Hayden Flynn, Campbell Flynn, Jack Flynn and Theadora Boldt. Betty was born in Colville, Washington and shortly thereafter her family moved to Helena, Montana. When she was 4 they moved to El Paso, Texas, where she graduated from high school at the age of 16 and went on to graduate from The Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy (known today as The University of Texas at El Paso) with a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences at the age of 20 in 1944. Betty and Bob celebrated 66 years of marriage on March 29, 2013 (March 29, 1947). She was such a loving grandmother and quietly taught her grandchildren the meaning of charitable giving by creating a foundation where they each were given the opportunity to make annual charitable gifts of their choice from the ages 16-30 years old. Her goal was to teach her grandchildren the rewards of giving back, which she hoped would instill the desire to continue that tradition throughout the balance of their lives. Betty also enjoyed bird watching from their breakfast nook, viewing deer and elk on their Colorado ranches, as well as gardening, traveling, reading, volunteering for Christian organizations, meeting new people and spending time with family and friends. She has served on the board of Teen Challenge, Cincinnati, Ohio from 1984- present, and was instrumental in building the Bob and Betty Lindner Community Resource Center in 1987. She was a trustee at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois from 1972-2008. During her tenure as a trustee, she served as Chair of several committees, including the Student Development Committee. In 1979 she received the prestigious Golden Eagle Award for her dedication and service to the college. In 2001 Betty was presented an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Judson University. Betty's faithful support of Judson throughout the years is evident today by the Betty R. Lindner Campus Commons, which was dedicated to Betty by her loving husband, Robert, in honor of her birthday in 1982. Betty was on the Board of Directors for United Dairy Farmers for 25 years and was also one of the very early members on the Board of Hospice of Cincinnati, where she served for several years. She was a member of the Roselawn Community Church from 1947-1979, when she and her husband helped form the Montgomery Community Church where she remained a member and active in the BYKOTA Sunday School Class (as founding member in 1950), American Baptist Women's Group, and over the years served on several of the church boards. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 30th at 1:00PM at Montgomery Community Church, 11251 Montgomery Road (45249). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Teen Challenge, 1466 Highway 50, Milford, OH (45150) or Judson University, 1151 North State Street, Elgin, IL (60123). Condolences may be shared with the family through our website, ThomasJustinMemorial.com