Elizabeth Rae Wilbers

Bette Rae, the eldest child of Raymond and Elizabeth (Conlon) Karst, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 3, 1938. After graduating from Nerinx Hall High School in 1956 and Webster College in 1960, she began working as an elementary school teacher in the Webster Groves school district.

Upon marrying Robert “Bob” Beyer in 1963, she settled with him in Long Island, New York, where she continued her career as a teacher and began raising their three children, Elizabeth, Julie and Robert. Following Bob’s tragic death in 1973, Bette Rae met Laurence “Larry” Donovan, also recently widowed, who she married in 1975. Though short-lived, their union gave Bette Rae another daughter, Katherine, and a one-year-old stepdaughter, Jennifer, who she raised as her own. It also allowed her to form lasting bonds with Larry’s four older children, Gary, Scott, Kimberly and Glenn.

After moving back to St. Louis in 1980, Bette Rae focused on raising her children. She also worked as a substitute teacher, volunteered as a Girl Scout troop leader and a Boy Scout den mother, and was highly involved in the Catholic church and the community. She eventually met and married Richard “Dick” Wilbers in 1987, with whom she forged a happy life for the next 35 years. Through their relationship, she also formed strong ties with his six children, Richard, Linda, Mary, Robert, Daniel and Jennifer.

In 1999, Dick and Bette Rae moved to Central Florida, where they enjoyed an active life for over 20 years. During their time there, Bette Rae volunteered as a docent at the Polk Museum of Art and as a guardian ad litem, advocating for the best interests of children who had experienced abuse or neglect. She and Dick were also instrumental in forming the Hamptons Educational Foundation, a cause that was close to their hearts.

Dick and Bette Rae decided to relocate back to St. Louis in the fall of 2020 to Our Lady of Life Retirement Community. After Dick’s passing in 2021, Bette Rae spent another three years at OLOL. With support from family and private caregivers, she had the opportunity to reconnect with friends and family in and around St. Louis. She was grateful to attend Karst family reunions at Shaw Park for three years in a row, gather with friends who hosted her in their homes, and join family holiday gatherings. Family and caregivers continued to provide the support she needed as she made her final move to the welcoming community and devoted staff at Bethesda Dilworth’s Memory Care unit.

Bette Rae radiated a unique energy, curiosity and passion for life. She actively pursued authentic connections wherever she went. This was clear even in her memory care unit, where she formed bonds with fellow residents. She impacted many lives and will be greatly missed.

Bette Rae leaves behind her brother Philip (Penny) Karst, along with her 4 children, 11 stepchildren, and 22 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother Thomas Karst.

A visitation will be held for Bette Rae at St. Gerard Majella Catholic Church in Kirkwood, Missouri on November 20, 2026 at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial mass at 11 a.m. A private interment will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Bette Rae’s memory may be made to the Hamptons Educational Foundation.