Elizabeth “Betsy” Sonnenberg passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, after a brief illness.

She was born Nov. 12, 1935, in Tarentum, Pa.

Betsy graduated from Lakewood High School in Ohio and attended Bowling Green State University. She was married in 1956, and welcomed daughter, Kellie, in 1960. Betsy worked for First Federal Bank of Lakewood, Ohio, and Man-Gill Chemical. She became a single parent in 1973. Betsy learned how to snow ski in her 40s. While working for Libbey Glass she moved to Toledo, Ohio. Betsy travelled around the country to the Libbey offices to make their ordering paperless by installing computers and training the office staffs. She met the people she’d been friends with over the phone for years. In Toledo, Betsy shared a common garage with Louis. They were married Dec. 9, 1989. Betsy retired from Libbey in 1990. The newlyweds moved to Florida in 1991. They built their lovely home in Rotonda, Fla. The next 20 years were busy with volunteer services, Helping Hand, Altar Guild, Stair and the Faith Lutheran Church choir. Betsy and Louis enjoyed amazing trips to Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Rhine River cruise just to name a few. In April of this year, they moved to Aston Gardens in Venice, Fla., where she enjoyed eating dinner in the dining room every night. Betsy loved spending time with her three grandchildren and visiting her three great-nieces and nephew. Her vibrant personality and kind heart will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Betsy is survived by her loving husband of 22 years, Louis; daughter, Kellie (Mike) Johnston; brother, Butch (Sandy) Pace; step-children, Linda (Robert) Ochenas, Bruce (Kelly) Sonnenberg; niece, Susie (Eric) Holdaway; nephew, Jeff (Tena) Pace; grandchildren, Tatiana and Dane Sonnenberg, and Arielle (Billie) Rustmann; great-granddaughter, Kennedy; great-nieces, Gillian Pace, Samantha and Emma Holdaway; great-nephew, Will Pace; and sister-in-law, Jeanne Sonnenberg.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Rotonda at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012.

Arrangements are by National Cremation and Burial Society of Sarasota, Fla.