Elizabeth Louise “Betty Lou” Herbst, age 102, of Ranch Oaks in Manhattan, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on March 10, surrounded by her loving family.

Betty is survived by her children Thomas E. (Diana) Herbst, Kathleen M. (Thomas) Robinson and Richard A. (Paula) Herbst; her grandchildren Jeffrey J. Herbst, Cynthia J. (James) Hudetz, Tanya M. (Joseph) Higgins, William M. Robinson, Zachary G. Herbst and Riley J. Herbst; her Great-Grandchildren Devin, Zander, Gianna, Vincent, Kendall and Kyle; and her sister, Judith Bunte, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur C. and Mary Louise “Mollie” (nee Nolan) Osmus; her husband, Raymond G. “Pinky” Herbst (1989); her son in infancy, Joseph G. Herbst (1960); her brother and sister-in-law, Eugene A. and Yvonne J. Osmus; and her brother-in-law, Lawrence Bunte.

Betty was born May 2, 1923, on her family’s farm in New Lenox, IL. She attended Haven Grade School, New Lenox and was a graduate of Joliet Township High School. After high school, Betty was employed at the American Institute of Laundry, where she met and then married Raymond George “Pinky” Herbst on November 29, 1947.

Betty Lou and Pinky built their first home in Joliet at 1107 Kelly Ave. They lived in that house until August of 1959, when they moved into the house they built in Ranch Oaks subdivision in Manhattan. Betty’s husband Pinky ran Herbst Amoco Gas Station in Joliet, and Betty’s responsibility was to manage all the bookwork associated, which she faithfully did every single night by hand from 1968 to 1988.

Betty was a devout Catholic and life-long active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Manhattan. She was a member of the Catholic Council of Women “CCW”, she hosted countless funeral luncheons and was voted “Woman of the Year” several times.

Betty Lou was one of the last ones of her friends to drive; this made her the ultimate taxi service, as she was constantly taking people to nursing homes for visits, funeral homes for visitations, grocery stores and pharmacies. If you needed a ride, Betty was your person.

She was also the ultimate babysitter; she babysat for many generations all the way down to her great-grandchildren. Betty Lou enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, and her meticulous lawn, most of the time cutting it herself, and her many rides on Mary Jane’s golf cart, visiting all the neighbors in Ranch Oaks.

Looking forward to those rides, she would often call the kids and inform them to not call the FBI, she is going on a golf cart ride with Mary Jane. At the end of each day, Betty Lou enjoyed her night cap of a glass of white wine from Trader Joes.

Betty Lou was one-of-a-kind; she was tiny in stature, yet mighty in opinion and personality. She was constantly on the move, mostly doing for others. A devoted mother, cherished grandmother, doting great-grandmother, dear sister and true friend, she will be truly missed by her family, neighbors, church family and those she touched in life.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Rita, Betty’s caregiver, for her unwavering care, attention, and devotion she gave to Betty during her time of need; Rita’s presence gave great peace of mind and relief to her entire family.

Visitation for Betty took place on Friday, March 13, at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home,with prayers on Saturday, March 14, also at the funeral home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Honored pallbearers were Zachary Herbst, Riley Herbst, Zander Hudetz, Jim Hudetz, Devin Herbst, Michael Bunte, and Billy Robinson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s honor to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 W North St., Manhattan, IL, would be most appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.