Elizabeth Louise “Betty” Schlie

Elizabeth Louise “Betty” Schlie, 97, passed away on September 11, 2026, in Sacramento, California. Betty is survived by her daughter Elizabeth (Tony), granddaughters Rachel (Josh), Elizabeth (Vic) and Amy, grandson (Justin), great granddaughters Iris & Skyler, and numerous brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.  She was predeceased by her husband, Leroy “Lee” Schlie and son, Kent Schlie.

Betty was born the eldest of 15 children on January 16, 1929, in St. Marys, Kansas. Known as “Betty Lou”, she graduated from high school in Paxico, Kansas, in 1946.   Betty attended nursing school, graduating in 1949. Betty devoted more than four decades to nursing before retiring in 1990.

Betty married her husband, Lee, in 1953 in Topeka, KS.  They met while she was walking home from her shift at the hospital.  Lee grabbed his chest & said “Nurse, nurse, I think I am having a heart attack.”  They married less than 5 months later.  Betty became a mother in 1954 when she had her son, Kent.  A daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) followed in 1956.  Betty and Lee left Kansas and moved their family to Sacramento, CA in 1963. A determining factor as to where they would live was proximity to a Catholic parish and school, ultimately buying a home only minutes away from St. Roses church and St. Patrick’s school.

Betty loved being a mother and enjoyed family life, all the while continuing to work as a Registered Nurse.  Betty made untold sacrifices to be there for her children, frequently volunteering for school functions after working a night shift.  Thanks Mom!

After retirement, Betty & Lee traveled extensively, playing golf almost everywhere they went. Betty volunteered with the RCIA program at her parish, St. Roses, in addition to volunteering with Catholic Charities.  Betty and Lee became grandparents in the late 1980s, a role they enjoyed.  Betty became a widow following Lee’s death in 1995.  She continued her volunteer work and belonged to several women’s golf groups.  She played golf until she was in her late eighties.

A devout Catholic, Betty was guided throughout her life by a deep and enduring faith. She attended daily mass and participated in weekly prayer and rosary groups.  She said both the rosary and the chaplet daily. It was common to see multiple rosaries and stacks of prayer cards scattered throughout the house.  As I often told her, “If anyone is going to heaven Mom, it’s you !”

Betty will be remembered with love and affection by those whose lives she touched.  Getting her to crack up was a challenge I frequently took on, waiting for her infectious laugh to start along with her broad smile.  That laugh and smile will be forever missed.  We love you Mom and Grandma.  Stay close and watch over us, until we meet again.

Services will be held at St. Mary Funeral Center in the main Chapel on September 30, 2026.  Please join us for the rosary at 10:30am, mass at 11:00am, committal in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery at noon.  There will be a reception to follow in the St. Mary Funeral Center Reception Room from 12:30 ’til 3pm.