Elizabeth Margaret Johnson Dew

Elizabeth (Betty) Margaret Johnson Dew, 103, died in her sleep Thursday, April 11, 2024 at The Towne House Retirement Community, Fort Wayne, IN. Betty was born December 13, 1920, in Monmouth, Illinois to Charles and Mabel (Frymire) Johnson. The oldest of the three Johnson daughters, Betty rode her pony to rural one-room schools and at age 12 learned to drive so she could attend Alexis (IL) High School from which she graduated in 1937. She studied piano for nine years, was a member of the Illinois All-State Chorus for two years and participated in a number of state musical contests. She was a member of the chorus at Monmouth (IL) College which she attended from 1937 to 1939. She still was in her teens when she left college to teach elementary education in one-room rural schools in Western Illinois. She met and dated Clairus Dew at Monmouth College. They married at First Presbyterian Church in Davenport, Iowa on June 14, 1943 when he was on a two-week leave from the U.S. Army Air Corps. Betty worked at a Davenport business college during most of World War II becoming a homemaker when Clairus returned from five years of military service in November 1945. They settled in Monmouth where their daughter Sharon and son David were born.

In 1953, they moved to Ft. Wayne when Clairus became head underwriter for Midwestern United Life Insurance Company. Betty was an engaged Christian who studied the Bible throughout her life and was concerned about religious and social issues. She sang as a soprano in the Calvary-Third Presbyterian Church choir and actively participated in many church activities particularly the Presbyterian Women. She belonged to the League of Women Voters, PTA, was a Cub Scout den mother and an enthusiastic participant at her monthly gathering of women friends called the Sewing Club. She returned to college part-time in the 1950s, graduating with a B.A. in history from St. Francis College in 1961. Though she would eschew the label “feminist,” Betty, like many of her generation, struggled with women’s limited options and during this time had a nervous breakdown from which she fully recovered. She went on to get a master’s of science in education from St. Francis in 1971, the first in her family to have an advanced degree.

She taught in the Ft. Wayne Community Schools at Weiser Park Middle School and later as a first-call substitute at South Side High School. She was at South Side so much many students didn’t realize she was a substitute.

In retirement, she and Clairus enjoyed traveling the U.S. and Europe with family and friends. They were active members in Smock Ministries for older Presbyterians and early supporters of Audiences Unlimited, which enables seniors to attend live performances.

Betty was always up for adventure and new experiences from a glider ride while traveling in California to learning how to e-mail in her 80s so she and her younger sister Doris could correspond daily. She and Clairus were poll watchers in Indiana elections and, for several years pre-internet, telephoned in results from key precincts to a national television network. She loved music and playing the piano for joy and relaxation, reading and a good discussion, and being with family.

She is survived by her children Sharon and Nils Stangenes of Chicago; David and Kathleen Dew of Ft. Wayne; grandchildren Daniel and Dawn Dew of Churubusco, Ind. and Kirsten Stangenes and Alec Lilliebridge of Conifer, Colorado; nine great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren; three nephews and four nieces. She is predeceased by Clairus, her husband of 76 years; granddaughter Kari Stangenes and grandson Matthew Dew.

Funeral Service is 1:30 pm Sunday, April 21, 2024 at The Towne House Retirement Center Chapel, 2209 St. Joe Center Road; (46825) with visitation one prior to service. The Rev. Doug Vogel, officiating. Visitation also 4-6pm Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley Park 1320 E. Dupont Road (46825). Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery.

Memorials are to First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne; Audiences Unlimited, Inc. of Fort Wayne, or Monmouth College, Alumni Office, 700 E. Broadway, Monmouth, IL 61462.

Fond memories may be shared at www.mccombandsons.com for the family.