Obituary for Elizabeth "Betty" Atcher
Elizabeth T. (Blankenbaker) Atcher passed away peacefully on Monday, April 18, 2022, at her home in Belmont Village Senior Living community, at the age of 93. A Louisville native, she was born to Earl and Mary (Harmon) Thorne and was the younger sister of William (“Billy”) E. Thorne.
After graduating from Louisville Girls High School, she went on to receive a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education degree from the University of Louisville. Betty was a lifelong educator and an avid reader. She taught for Louisville and eventually Jefferson County Public Schools, encouraged her grandchildren and great grandchildren in their pursuits of knowledge, and maintained her sharp mind into her final days.
Betty was blessed with a large and loving family. She married beloved WHAS puppeteer and graphic artist Allen Blankenbaker on November 26, 1953. Together they raised four children. She was a pragmatic and resourceful mother who devoted herself to maintaining a positive outlook and a harmonious home. Allen tragically passed away in 1975, and Betty eventually remarried local television personality, Randy Atcher in 1979. Together they traveled extensively, enjoyed Florida beaches, playing golf and tennis, and delighted in their grandchildren.
Betty was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for over 70 years, where she and her family were active participants in the community. She was also a member of the Wildwood Country Club, where she continued to play bridge and enjoy the company of good friends well into her nineties.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and brother; husbands, Allen F. Blankenbaker Jr. and Randall Atcher; and her daughter, Judith Allen (Blankenbaker) Gordley.
She is survived by her children, Laura Blankenbaker, Katherine Blankenbaker and husband, Louis Miconi, COL (R) John Blankenbaker, and wife, CW5 (R) Debra; grandchildren, Evan Elizabeth Harder and husband, Arthur, Luke and Ryder Miconi, Amanda Jansen and significant other, Joey Smith; great grandchildren Sunny and Coco Harder, Mckenzie Omtvedt, Mason and Taylor Jansen; nieces, Debra Thorne, Sharon Bruce, Susan Daily and nephew, Ralph Blankenbaker; and many friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 24, 2022, from 3:00 – 8:00pm, followed by funeral services on Monday, April 25, 2022, at 1:00pm at Highlands Funeral Home. (Please note, masks are encouraged). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the WHAS Crusade for Children in Betty’s honor.
After graduating from Louisville Girls High School, she went on to receive a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education degree from the University of Louisville. Betty was a lifelong educator and an avid reader. She taught for Louisville and eventually Jefferson County Public Schools, encouraged her grandchildren and great grandchildren in their pursuits of knowledge, and maintained her sharp mind into her final days.
Betty was blessed with a large and loving family. She married beloved WHAS puppeteer and graphic artist Allen Blankenbaker on November 26, 1953. Together they raised four children. She was a pragmatic and resourceful mother who devoted herself to maintaining a positive outlook and a harmonious home. Allen tragically passed away in 1975, and Betty eventually remarried local television personality, Randy Atcher in 1979. Together they traveled extensively, enjoyed Florida beaches, playing golf and tennis, and delighted in their grandchildren.
Betty was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for over 70 years, where she and her family were active participants in the community. She was also a member of the Wildwood Country Club, where she continued to play bridge and enjoy the company of good friends well into her nineties.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and brother; husbands, Allen F. Blankenbaker Jr. and Randall Atcher; and her daughter, Judith Allen (Blankenbaker) Gordley.
She is survived by her children, Laura Blankenbaker, Katherine Blankenbaker and husband, Louis Miconi, COL (R) John Blankenbaker, and wife, CW5 (R) Debra; grandchildren, Evan Elizabeth Harder and husband, Arthur, Luke and Ryder Miconi, Amanda Jansen and significant other, Joey Smith; great grandchildren Sunny and Coco Harder, Mckenzie Omtvedt, Mason and Taylor Jansen; nieces, Debra Thorne, Sharon Bruce, Susan Daily and nephew, Ralph Blankenbaker; and many friends.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 24, 2022, from 3:00 – 8:00pm, followed by funeral services on Monday, April 25, 2022, at 1:00pm at Highlands Funeral Home. (Please note, masks are encouraged). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the WHAS Crusade for Children in Betty’s honor.