Betty Lou (Shaffer) Kee, age 88 of Minerva, died peacefully June 1, 2026, with her devoted husband Lowell by her side. Born April 16, 1938, Betty Lou lived a life of service to God and service to others.

Betty graduated from Alliance High School in 1956 and continued her education graduating from Aultman School of Nursing in 1959. Throughout her forty-year nursing career, Betty Lou cared for patients at Alliance City Hospital and eventually Great Trail Care Center. Betty Lou was a loved and well-respected nurse, admired by coworkers and doctors alike. Through her membership in the Ladies’ Quilting Group at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alliance, Betty Lou provided hundreds of quilts for those in need, finding delight in taking what others considered “ugly fabrics” and turning them into something beautiful, comforting, and blessed. Betty Lou was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s, having joined as a teenager.

Betty Lou’s faith was paramount in her life. The inscription carved beneath her kitchen sink reads, “Jesus Never Fails.” She prayed daily for family, friends, and complete strangers, and was known for telling you, “I love you, and God loves you, too.” It is that faith that gave her the strength she carried throughout life, getting her through health challenges and trials that would have stopped lesser people in their tracks.

Betty Lou was the heart and soul of her family, having married Lowell Kee on August 22, 1959. Together they raised two children, Penny Kee (Barry Congrove) of Cincinnati, and Dwight Kee of Salem. Their family expanded with five grandchildren, Jed (Natalie) Kee, Joe Kee, and Vallie, Sunny, and Ruby Kee Congrove, and eventually three great-grandchildren, Mariah, Arlo, and Anse. Known affectionately as “Granny,” Betty Lou loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teaching them to sew, play card games and dominoes, identify birds and plants, and passing on family history and stories. Betty Lou served as a Girl Scout leader for several years in Alliance, often serving as the Camp Nurse during summer camp at Great Trail. She loved nature and loved passing that interest on to the younger generations.

If you were fortunate to call Betty Lou a friend, you know you had a friend for life. Joan (Shutler) Boyce, Jo Ann (Quick) Riffle, and Patty (Radakovich) Wilson were Betty’s “sisters,” and she loved them as such. Betty Lou also formed friendships through her club, the T-N-T Card Club, in existence since the 1930s. While not known for winning often, Betty’s love of cards and people kept her attending for as long as she was physically able.

Betty Lou was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Dorothy (St. John) Shaffer, her beloved Aunt Mildred (St. John) Rininger, and cherished daughter-in-law, Cindy Kee. In addition to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Betty Lou is survived by one brother, Jim (Nancy) Shaffer of Wooster, sisters-in-law Betty (George) Folk of Texas, Barbara Glinski of Florida, and Becky (Vic-deceased) Barnes of East Rochester, and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the fantastic staff at Aultman Hospice, especially Kelly Lautzenheiser, Deanna Miller, and Gayle Kiggans, who took amazing care of Betty over the last eight months. Their compassion, care, and professionalism helped give Betty Lou strength, peace, and dignity as she neared the end of her life.

Following cremation, memorial services will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home with calling hours one hour prior. Rev. Timothy Muse from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church will be officiating. Those wishing to send condolences may sign the online register at www.gotschallfuneralhome.com.