Betty Elinor Rode, 96, of Hematite died Feb. 14, 2026, at Crystal Oaks Nursing Center in Crystal City. Mrs. Rode, known to many as “Betty Boop,” was the owner/operator of Betty’s Beauty Shop for more than 50 years. She was a longtime member of First Christian Church of Hematite and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She participated in various local bowling leagues, garden clubs and card clubs. She was a talented musician and banjo player. Born Oct. 26, 1929, in Hematite, she was the daughter of the late Ora Della (Zeltner) and Edmond H. Holdinghausen.
She was preceded in death by two husbands: Norvel Ogle and Raymond Rode.
She is survived by three children: Ronda (Steve) Lee of Irondale, Keith (Kathy) Ogle of Bloomsdale and Tonya (Terry) Thomas of Herculaneum; a sister: Gayle (Allen) Sherman of Crystal City; a brother: Eugene (Ruth) Holdinghausen of O’Fallon; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by a sister: Ada (the late Lloyd) Campfield; and a brother: Wayne (the late Sharon) Holdinghausen.
Services will be private with burial in Hematite Methodist Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society or any organization concerned with animal well-being. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.