Betsy Prentiss Rhodes, 68, of Medina, died peacefully at The Western Reserve Masonic Community on June 20, 2014 after fighting a long battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy. She is now at Peace in the arms of her loving Lord. She is survived by husband of 47 years, Tim; children Andrew (Paula) of Austin, TX and Mindi Auber (Michael) of Hinckley, OH; granddaughter Kerri; grandsons Maxwell and Daniel; Brothers Robert Prentiss (Judy) and Donald Prentiss, Richard T. and Bonnie Rhodes; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Jean was born Aug. 13, 1945 in Evanston, IL to the late Robert and Jean Prentiss. She grew up in Winnetka, IL, and graduated from New Trier High School in 1963. She graduated from BGSU in 1967 where she met Tim, and married in Sept., 1967 in Kenilworth, IL. They moved to Medina in 1968. During the time that they were raising their own children, Jean and Tim also cared for 18 young foster children during the 1980's. Also, Jean volunteered for The Amer. Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, and CSS Hospice and Respite programs. She is also a member of PEO, a women's service organization.

Jean became a founding member of the staff at Hospice of Medina County where she served as Coordinator of Volunteers for 16 years. Jean also loved her time in service at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Medina, where she led or participated on several committees, and on the church Leadership Council. She led the Social Concerns Committee as it developed St. Matthew's transitional housing ministry. She was also a commissioned Stephen Minister.

Jean enjoyed gardening, tennis, Bible studies, and sailing with Tim on Lake Erie. She loved her cats, her many friends, traveling, and camping. What she loved most was her family. She received great joy being with her grandchildren, Kerri, Max, and Daniel. She was able to spend vacation weeks with them and her extended Prentiss/Keith families at Cattail Cove family enclave in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. That was her heaven on Earth.

Tim and his family want to thank Prs. Tom Schwartz and Dave Anderson of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, the amazing staff at The Western Reserve Masonic Community Skilled Nursing wing, and the highly skilled nurses and aides from Hospice of Medina County for their boundless and wonderful care and love for Jean in her final days.

She will be dearly missed by all family and friends.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2014, 2:00 – 4:30 P.M. and 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Waite & Son Funeral Home, 765 North Court St., Medina, OH 44256.

A funeral service for Jean was Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 1:00 P.M. at St Matthew Lutheran Church, 400 North Broadway St., Medina, OH 44256.

Memorials to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, at address above; Western Reserve Masonic Community Skilled Nursing,4931 Nettleton Rd., Medina, OH 44256; Hospice of Medina County, 5075 N Windfall Rd., Medina, OH 44256.

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Thank you to Winnie Unger Johnson for letting us know about Jean, also known as Betsy.