Obituary

Life long resident of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor High School Grad-uate 1941, All American Girl's Professional Baseball League, Rockford Peach, (1946) National Baseball Hall of Fame Member succumbed to Alzheimer's Disease on December 30, 2010. Betty was born April 22,1923 to William A. Yahr and Agatha B. Yahr. Her parents and younger brother Robert W. Yahr preceded her in death. She is survived by her older brother, William K. Yahr; a nephew, Ronald W. Yahr (Karen); a niece, Terry G. Bennett (Loren); two great- nephews, Ronald K. Yahr (Shirley) and Jeffery S. Yahr; two great-nieces, Wendy Bay-lis (Jeremy) and Cindy Bennett; three great-great-nieces Lucy E., Emma R., Celeste N.; and two great-great-nephews Keith W. and James L. Betty's athletic career began on the sandlots of Ann Arbor, progressing through high school as a recognized member of the Girls Athletic Club, graduating in 1941. Betty played baseball for the Rockford Peaches of the AAGPBL in 1946 as a right fielder. Her scouting report, contract, pay stubs, baseball glove, and team hat, along with other memorabilia were donated to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. These items are located in the Museum and Library. After professional ball she played for a local semi-pro team Dad's Root Beer and continued coaching and playing recreational ball. When Betty returned to Ann Arbor after professional baseball she worked for a brief period of time at King-Seeley before completing a life long 41year 5month career with Edwards Brothers Lithographers Inc-orporated. Betty's life was filled with family responsi-bilities, career, recreational sports activities, co-ownership of a flower shop in Dundee, MI, volunteer work at the Dundee Old Mill, and vacation travel. Her two favorite sayings were "we saved baseball". The men went to WWII and Wrigley organized the AAGPBL to fill in for men's baseball. The second "there is no crying in baseball". Holding to her saying, Betty Ruth passed comfortably, quietly, without a tear and with family members at her side. The memorial service is tentatively scheduled for April 22, 2011 at the Washtenong Memorial Park, Whitmore Lake Rd, Ann Arbor, prior to the internment of her ashes. The Family wishes to express thanks to the nursing and support staff at Superior Woods Assisted Living for the loving care and final special handling of AB (Aunt Betty) as well as the Southern Care Hospice nurses who aided in final assistance and guidance. Betty requests that memorial contributions be made to Superior Woods Healthcare Center, 8380 Geddes Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198, Betty Yahr Memorial to Assisted Living Section, attention Jennifer Delano or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Nie Family Funeral Home.