Betty B. Gehring, 96, of Oak Park, formerly of Valparaiso, Indiana, died on Feb. 11, 2025 in Oak Park. Born on April 20, 1928 in Scranton, Iowa to the late Thomas and Dexter Burns, she was an accomplished violinist who graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio, where she met her life love, Philip Gehring. They were married on Aug. 26, 1951 in her hometown of Clear Lake, Iowa. The following year, they both began graduate studies at Syracuse University, where she earned her master’s degree in music.
They both taught at Valparaiso University for many years and Betty also taught private violin lessons and played in several symphony orchestras. She was a member of a quartet that played at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan as well as internationally.
After retirement, they moved to Oak Park in 2009 to be closer to family. She was a member of First United Church of Oak Park.
Betty is survived by her children, Kristin (Walter Miller) Gehring, Thomas Gehring, and Martin (Ruth) Gehring; her grandchildren, Gehring Miller, Ilse Miller, Mahala (Marla Devault) Miller, Tatiana Gehring, William Gehring, and Allison Gehring.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Philip and her granddaughters, Larisa and Alexandra “Shura” Gehring.
A memorial service will be held for Betty and her granddaughter Shura at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26 at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St.