Betsy Schwegman

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Elizabeth “Betsy” Johnston Schwegman peacefully passed away on December 17, 2025, with family by her side.

Betsy was born August 13, 1933, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, the youngest of six children to Stuart and Harriett Johnston. She attended Upper Darby High School, in Drexel Hill, and Hood College, in Frederick, Maryland, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education.

After teaching art for two years, in Spring Grove, Maryland, Betsy took a trip to California to visit a childhood friend. While in California, she decided to stay, rent an apartment, and get a job. It was the best decision of her life, because while living in California, she met the love of her life, Donald Ferdinand Schwegman.

Betsy and Don were married on May 2, 1959, in Drexel Hill. After their wedding, they headed out on Route 66 for Montana, a state where they both yearned to live. Their first home was a tiny rock house, in the middle of a field, on a ranch in Melrose, Montana, population 200. They welcomed their daughter Barbie in October 1960 and not long after, they moved to Dillon, Montana, and daughter Donna was born October 1962.

Betsy loved being a mother and made her daughters many adorable dresses, knitted them sweaters, helped them learn to play the piano, enrolled them in dancing lessons, and encouraged their participation in Girl Scouts. Betsy and Don also focused on church life and the family spent much beloved time with the members of Grace United Methodist Church in Dillon. For four years, Betsy taught art at Dillon Junior High. She then earned her primary education certification and for three years taught second grade at Parkview Elementary.

Betsy and Don relocated their family to northwestern Montana, in 1975. Betsy worked in the County Superintendents Office, and Don taught junior high industrial arts. They had a very close bond and were each other’s best friends.

In 1984, Betsy and Don decided to move to the four-state area and live the remainder of their lives in Neosho and Grove, Oklahoma. Betsy kept busy with church activities, bible study, teaching young adult Sunday school, and joined a needlework group, just to name a few.

After the death of her soul mate in 2012, Betsy moved back to Neosho to be closer to her daughter Donna. She joined the YMCA Silver Sneakers exercise classes and enjoyed that immensely. The members of the group were all very special to her. Betsy lived near Freeman Neosho Hospital and loved to eat her lunch at the Flowerbox Café during the week. The employees of the hospital were so kind to her and she enjoyed the fellowship. It enriched her life!

Betsy is survived by her daughters, Barbie Townsell, Cave Spring, Georgia, and Donna Wells, Neosho. She is also survived by her older sister Mary DeMaris, McLean, Virginia, and stepson Jon Schwegman.

Betsy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Schwegman, her parents, Stuart and Harriett Johnston, her older brothers, Dudley, Robert, Alan, and Malcolm, her wonderful son-in-law, Tommy Townsell, and her stepson, Mike Schwegman.

Betsy will be remembered for her kindness, her humor, her amazing talents, and her warmth.

Betsy lived at Gran Villas Assisted Living for seven months before returning to her home. The care she received from their wonderful staff was exceptional.

These last few months of Betsy’s life were made more comfortable by her amazing, dedicated, and thoughtful caregiver, Lisa Ehrhart. Our family was truly blessed by her commitment to our mother’s care.

There will be no memorial service. Betsy’s daughters prefer to hold a private ceremony.