Bettie Heise

Bettie Dee Heise, 90, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, May 14, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 21, 1929, near Millersville, the daughter of Ernest and Virginia Lucille Masterson Seabaugh. She attended school in Jackson. Bettie and Leonard Ernest Martin Heise were married July 1, 1950, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, where she has been a member for many years. They had been married 66 years when Leonard passed away May 10, 2017.

Bettie worked in the cafeteria at Southeast Missouri State College (now University) and Superior Electric and later as the food service manager of Alma Schrader School, retiring in 1992.

Bettie thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and her beloved canine companion, Shortie. She also enjoyed camping at Clearwater Lake, going to Horseshoe Lake and traveling. She was an accomplished musician. By ear, she taught herself to play the piano, fiddle and guitar. She especially enjoyed playing and listening to country music.

Loving survivors include her children, Patricia Biri of Jackson and Tom (LaWanna) Heise of Shawneetown; grandchildren, Amy (Matt) Gilbert, Tressa Bauman, Erin (Scott) Crader and Rick (Christina) Biri; and great-grandchildren; three siblings, Jerry (Debbie) Seabaugh, Dorothy Holzum and Carolyn (Bill) Wills.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; great-grandson, Ethan Bauman; and siblings, Otis Seabaugh and Erma Seabaugh.

The Rev. Douglas Breite will officiate a private memorial service at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Inurnment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, where Bettie will be laid to rest with Leonard.

Flowers, plants and gifts may be delivered to the funeral home between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m., Monday.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Bettie's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.