Betty Louise Laiben, 83, of Festus died Aug. 1, 2014, at Baisch Nursing Center in De Soto. Mrs. Laiben was a real estate agent and a member of Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus. She also was a member of the Twin City Optimists Club and a former YMCA board member. Born Sept. 11, 1930, in Indianapolis, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Neitea (Kelso) and Earl Duckworth.
She is survived by her husband of 23 years: J. Frank Laiben; three daughters: Teral Winchester of Denver, Colo., Cynthia (Alan) Coffman of Ballwin and Wendy Winchester of St. Louis; two sons: Richard (Karen) Winchester of Wildwood and Robert (Maria) Winchester of St. Charles; three stepdaughters: Regina (Lynn) Hollis of Louisville, Ky., and Mary Anne (Dr. Robert) Blankenship and Therese (Dr. David) Akers, both of Tulsa, Okla.; six stepsons: Mark S. (Joyce) Laiben of Crystal City, Gerard (Susan) Laiben of Festus, John (Laurie) Laiben of Crystal City, Joseph (Dawn) Laiben of De Soto, Vincent Laiben of St. Thomas, V.I., and Paul (Jennifer) Laiben of Herculaneum; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one sister: Dorothy Meng; and one granddaughter: Tracy Boardman.
Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Our Lady Church, officiated by the Rev. Jeffrey Maassen. Burial is in the St. Anne’s Cemetery in French Village. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, S.D. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.