Bettye Jean Holt Vogel was born August 29, 1921 in Aurora, Missouri to Dr. and Mrs. Charles (Sara) Holt. In 1926 the family moved to Springfield where her father had his dental practice.
Bettye died in Springfield at the age of 94 on November 19, 2015.
Always outgoing and blessed with extraordinary energy, while in high school Bettye was captain of the Kiltie Drum and Bugle Corps, member of Tau Phi Gamma Sorority and participated in beauty pageants and swimming events. While attending Southwest Missouri State (SMS) she was the first woman cheerleader, member of Diana Social Club and charter member of Tri Sigma Sorority, and was voted School Spirit of Who's Who at SMS. Bettye had many interests including dancing and bridge. She first began dancing at an early age, and became Arthur Murray certified in 1952. With an entrepreneurial spirit she branched out from teaching at the YMCA to her own Bettye Vogel Dance Studio. There she taught young people the intricacies of the Cha-Cha, Tango, Fox Trot, Waltzes, and the Swing aka Jitterbug, an all-time favorite. For some time she also directed activities for the Lake of the Ozarks' Holiday Inn Resort. Since 1973 she was a Life Master of the American Contract Bridge Club having amassed the most points of any Springfield woman. She taught bridge and at one time had a bridge column in the Springfield News Leader. She was a member of the SMMA Living Art Group in 1952. She loved travel most notably to China, Panama, Hawaii, Bermuda, England and Africa where she especially loved exotic animals and birds.
Bettye is predeceased by husband, Arthur Vogel and sister, Jacqueline Holt Powell (Mrs. EM Powell).
She is survived by her two sons and their families, Dr. Charles and wife, Ann of Springfield, and David and wife, Leah of Woodbridge, CT; grandchildren, Cristen Owen and husband, Jason and son, Zacquary Rogers of Nixa, Chad Vogel and family Angela, Melanie and Danielle of Ames, IA, Lacey Vogel of Boston, MA, and Diana Vogel of New York City, NY; nieces and nephews, Walter, Robin, Sara, and Carey Powell and their families.
On Friday, November 27, 2015 from 5-7 pm a celebratory visitation will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel, 1947 E. Seminole.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seasons Hospice, 1831 W. Melville Road, Springfield, MO 65803.