Betty Jane Otto-Kretzer

Sharpsburg, MD – Betty Jane Otto-Kretzer, 90, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at her home.

She was born in Hagerstown, MD on April 13, 1929 to the late Edgar Fout and Bessie M. Sprecher. A woman of a unique and wonderful life.

Betty had a deep concern and loving connection with her family.

Before she was a teenager, she remembers the annual reunions at the John Irvin Sprecher’s farm west of Huyetts Crossraod and the Daniel Peter Fahrney Longanecker reunions at Luther and Effie Long’s farm held occasionally at Chewsville.  Memories never forgotten and rarely held today.  At age 15 Betty greeted people at the stationary counter at McCrory’s five and dime store, then at her brothers “Hobby Mart” on North Potomac St. At age 18 she was seen at the credit counter at Leiter Brothers.  That is where she met her first husband Page T. Otto and married at age 21 which lasted almost 54 years.  In 2006 she and Fred Kretzer met and a year later on March 18, 2007 they married.  Fred passed away in August 2018.

When Page T. Otto and Betty married she worked at Edgewood Arsenal Medical Center for 10 years then decided to move from Baltimore County to the family area in Washington County.  A very special job for 8 months was at the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg and then a permanent job as a Park Guide-Park Ranger at Antietam National Battlefield.  A job which Betty excelled developing new and different programs and helping her husband Page with events!  At the Battlefield she worked with the film program, developed new programs such as Vols in the Park, Women in the Civil War, Masons, and specific men and units involved in the battle.  Betty retired from the Antietam National Battlefield in 1987, a job she enjoyed.

Betty worked diligently with her husband for 28 years helping with Memorial Days and the Anniversary plans with the American Legion and the Town of Sharpsburg.  Betty and Page T. Otto worked with the Sharpsburg Brethren Church district with youth.  Both teachers, Betty also formed 33 youth choir and worked with troubled youth and veterans.  They shared their love and talent far and wide.

During Betty’s life she had a special heart for all animals, especially those unwanted cats.  Over her lifetime she guestimates having rescued, fed and sheltered during a period of 80 years about 200 cats.

When life is becoming empty of family members, old friends the time comes for your ending.  Betty had a rewarding life but sad ending.

Preceding her in death is her mother Bessie M. Sprecher, father Edgar Fout Sprecher, sisters Mildred Sanders, Mary Thomas Verdier, brothers Guy F. Sprecher, Harold D. Sprecher, Lester Sprecher, Max E. Sprecher, Harry G. Sprecher. Betty is survived by her nieces Christina Thomas, Audrey Spielman, and Patricia J. Ohmstedt; nephews Robert Sprecher and Timothy Sprecher; several great nieces and nephews; (Gordon and Connie Sanders).

The family will receive friends at the Osborne Funeral Home 425 S. Conococheague St. Williamsport, MD on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 pm.   The funeral home will be open after 9:00 am on Wednesday for the convenience of family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Osborne Funeral Home 425 S. Conococheague St. Williamsport, MD on Thursday, January 23, 2020                   at 2:00 pm with Pastor Brad Graybill officiating.  Interment will be in Mt. View Cemetery Sharpsburg, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Sharpsburg Area EMS P.O. Box 307 Sharpsburg, MD 21782 or Humane Society of Washington County 13011 Maugansville Rd. Hagerstown, MD 21740

Online condolences may be made to the family at:

www.osbornefuneralhome.net

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