Bethyl Mae Lotze

Bethyl Mae (Holybee) Lotze was born to Lorenzo Eugene Holybee and Mary Estelle (Camera) Holybee on July 17, 1935 in Petaluma California. She described her childhood as a very happy, secure one with three younger siblings, many cousins and a very large extended family. They were hardworking and musically gifted. The summer following Bethyl’s 1953 high school graduation, the family moved to San Bernardino, in southern California. Her first week in town she met her future husband at church.

Bethyl Mae, or Beth, as she was often called, and Herbert “Herb” E Lotze Jr were married December 23, 1954, and were married for 67 years before his passing in December 2021. They spent the first 26 years of married life in the United States Navy, where duty stations took them up and down the west, east and Gulf coasts. In addition, they were stationed overseas in Taiwan, Spain, and Italy, where they spent many weekends visiting other surrounding countries. Later, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia when a second career at Lockheed Martin Aircraft Corporation presented itself.

Bethyl Mae was the consummate ranking officer’s wife and entertained often.  One highlight was hosting a tea for Madam Chaing Khi-shek while in Taiwan. Her love of entertaining spilled over into church and family life. For many years she hosted large family meals for holidays which are fond memories for grandchildren. She was involved in Tres Dias and completed a two-year Bible study certificate. She was an excellent pianist and often lulled her daughters to sleep with her practicing. She also loved gardening, sewing, and was an accomplished cook. In her later years, her greatest joys were gift-giving and her grandchildren.

In 2009, Bethyl and Herb transitioned to a quieter life in Indiana, joining a daughter and her family in Noblesville.

Bethyl is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved Herb, sister Shirlee Jean, brother William, and a son-in-law. Surviving her are four daughters; Cynthia (Barry) LeBlanc, Elizabeth (Eric) Bruening, Cathryn Greer, Shirlee (Rick) Tomlinson, 10 grandchildren and spouses; Heidi (Alan), B Joshua (Susie), Joseph (Danna), Bethany (Nathan), Katie (Brad), Charity (Christopher), Esther (Steven), Rebecca (Jonathan), Heather (Warren), and Benjamin (Leah). She also leaves sixteen great-grandchildren and brother Maurice of California.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2024, at Flanner Buchanan - Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters), 4180 Westfield Road.  Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.