Betty Wedwick Koen Jones

1926 - 2024

Betty Wedwick Koen Jones, a practicing Catholic, age 97, passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024 in Georgetown, Texas. Betty was born to Carl and Hermine Wedwick on September 17, 1926 in Grand Fork, North Dakota. She was predeceased by her husbands, Charles Edgar Koen, Jr. and Omar Kenton Jones; and her sister, Helene Tsgauris. Betty is survived by her eight children, James (Stephanie) Koen, Michael (Debbie) Koen, Lynne (Darrell) Starnes, Ted (Susan) Koen, Mark (Beth) Koen, Leah (Randy) May, Will (Lesley) Jones, Alison (Chad) Finch; and her 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Betty, like those of her generation, lived through the Great Depression and was forced to embrace the many hardships of that time. Because jobs were scarce, her family moved frequently during her childhood, resulting in Betty attending 11 different schools in 12 years. With steadfast determination, Betty persevered, learning to adjust, and partaking in all that life had to offer. In high school, she participated in plays, talent shows (teaching herself how to tap), was a cheerleader and drum major, while always managing to find a job. After high school graduation, she joined the Army Nursing Corps and attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota, affiliated with the Mayo Clinic. She passed the boards and became a registered nurse with a whopping $3.00 to her name. At that time, the Red Cross was recruiting nurses to work the polio epidemic in a faraway place called Edinburg, Texas. Longing to travel, she signed up for a 3-month commitment. However, swept off her feet by a young architect named Charles “Ted” Koen, she never returned home and transformed into a Southern belle.

Even though Betty was busy raising eight children, she managed to be very active in the community. She served as president of the Edinburg Junior Service League, Senior Service League, and the Professional Engineers Valley Auxiliary. She also served as an officer in many other organizations, such as Zonta Club of West Hidalgo County, the Altar Society, and the City of Edinburg Park Board. Betty worked as a school nurse for Edinburg ISD for over 20 years.

In 2000, after living in the Rio Grande Valley for 50 years, Betty and her husband, Omar Kenton Jones, moved to Georgetown, Texas. At Sun City, Betty played bridge, painted, and enjoyed crafting. She loved travel, parties, wine, chocolate, Hallmark movies, and hosting an annual Christmas party for her neighborhood. Betty was treasured as the wise, kind, fun, fiercely competitive yet loving, and giving matriarch of her family. She will be sorely missed by her family and all of her many friends. Eternal rest grant unto thee, O Lord.