Betty “Betsy” Jane Zapletal, Carthage, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Betsy was born in Dallas, Texas, on September 8, 1940, and was the daughter of Louis and Mary Zmolik. Betsy resided in Carthage since 1972, moving from Ennis, Texas and Manhattan Beach, California. She married Henry Zapletal on June 6, 1959. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister-in-law, and friend.
Betsy was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Carthage. She was a faithful Catholic, who not only wore the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, but also prayed the Daily Rosary without fail. As a final testament to her Faith, she was bestowed with the Last Rites of our Holy Church by The Very Reverend Paul M. Tai Van Tran, CRM – Provincial Minister. Betsy worked as a secretary for St. Ann’s Church and School, as well as for the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer in Carthage. She also spent some time at St. Ann’s School as a volunteer librarian. Betsy earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Missouri Southern State University later in life after raising her four children. She was an avid reader, loved literature, and was an excellent writer and editor.
Betsy is survived by her sons Clay (Cindy) of Manhattan, Kansas, John (Linda) Zapletal of Edmond, Oklahoma, and her daughter Bonnie (Michael) Schaeffer of Carthage, Missouri. Dear to her heart are her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who know her as “Babi”. Babi has twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Betsy was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years Henry Zapletal, son Blake Zapletal, grandson Michael Zapletal, parents Louis and Mary Zmolik, and sisters Mary Vrana, Dorothy Mikell, and Linda Tenney.
A Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church (Ennis, Texas) on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. Internment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Ennis. There will be a Memorial Rosary Service for Betsy at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, July 10, at 6:00 p.m. in Carthage, Missouri.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer or St. Ann’s Catholic Church and School in Carthage.
Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.
