Max and Betty first met in Biloxi, MS, where Betty grew up. Max was stationed there while serving in the air force.
On Sundays, they waited at the same bus stop to church. They began getting to know each other, riding the bus, attending church and double dating.
They were married before Max was deployed to Japan during the Korean Conflict.
When he was discharged, they moved to Grand Island, NE where Max grew up. Their son Steve was born there. Soon after Steve’s birth they moved to Greely, CO where Max earned his master’s degree.
Another move back to NE, where Max taught music in Palisade, then in Lyons, where their daughter, Laura Lee was born in nearby Oakland.
Their next move took them to Gothenburg, NE. where Max accepted the position to teach music in the H.S. including marching band. He also accepted a position as a church organist and choir director. Their second son Clifford Jack was born in Gothenburg.
The family of 5 moved to Lincoln, NE when Max accepted a teaching job at Irving Middle school and a church organist and choir director position at First Evangelical Covenant Church. Max retired from Lincoln Public Schools after 23 years of instrumental instruction at Irving.
He enjoyed numerous activities, including fly fishing in Colorado, pheasant hunting with his sons, gardening, ballroom dancing, travel, attending church with Betty and caring for his grandchildren.
Betty was an office assistant at Pound Middle school for 18 years. She was a charter member of Chapter GV PEO sisterhood for 56 years.
Betty also enjoyed American Sign Language, which she loved teaching to others and served as an interpreter for many years. Some of her other pursuits included singing in Max’s church choirs, sewing circles, swimming, serving on women’s boards at church, cabin camping, ballroom dancing, travel and attending church with Max. They were members of First-Plymouth Church.
She was a sweet, loving and gentle soul, who was a giving, kind and forgiving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. One of her greatest strengths was her gentleness. A wonderful gift she inherited from her father, Henry.
Separated only by death, we are in awe of their marriage of 68 years. This is the true testimony of their love and desire to be together forever.
Years ago, a friend once said to me, your parents are made of gold! I smiled and said no, they’re much more precious, they are made of platinum!
They are survived by their children Steve (Cindy) Bottger, Lincoln; Laura Lee Atkinson (Randall) Pegden, Aiken, SC; Clifford Jack Bottger, Fort Collins, CO; 13 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by their parents and Betty’s brothers David and Carl Balius, Max’s brother Robert Bottger, daughter-in-law Theresa Bottger, and other family members.
A private family graveside service will be held.
Memorials in lieu of flowers to Lincoln Public Schools Music Department c/o Roper and Sons