Betty Jeanne (Perl) Roggenkamp has taken her final earthly journey, departing February 28, 2025.  Born on June 7, 1931 in Batesland, SD to missionaries on the Pine Ridge Oglala Sioux Indian reservation she began her journey through life. Following her parents (the Reverend John Perl and his wife Elizabeth) she journeyed to many places in the mid-west, including Louisville, KY, where she met her future husband, Rudolf (Rudy) Roggenkamp.  After graduating from Heidelberg College in 1953 they were married and embarked on a life of journeys that included extensive travel throughout North America, including Mexico and Canada, visiting (and photographing) all fifty state capitals and many US national parks.  In addition, they traveled to Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.  Rudy and Betty settled in Talcottville, CT where they lived for fifty-four years.

While living in Talcottville she kept busy with their local church, Talcottville Congregational United Church of Christ, Boy Scouts, volunteer work, and teaching.

At Talcottville UCC she participated in the choir, was a Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, and served as a Deacon.  She participated in the greater governance of the Connecticut Conference of the UCC including serving as moderator of the Tolland Association. She also had many roles with the Boy Scouts of America, supporting her two sons as they progressed through the various levels of scouting.  Eventually she worked with the Charter Oak Council and then Long Rivers Council.  For her many years of service with Scouts she was awarded the Silver Beaver award that recognizes registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council.

As a volunteer she worked with Rockville Hospital as a lab assistant and participated with Habitat for Humanity. She and Rudy made several mission trips to the Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS.  She was also active with two recreational vehicle organizations, Bounders of America, a national group, and "Damn Yankees," a regional group.  She held offices with both organizations.

The majority of her professional career was spent as a teacher.  With liberal arts degrees in both chemistry and home economics, she was able to participate in the teaching profession in several ways.  She taught tailoring in the adult night school program at Rockville High School and worked as a substitute teacher in the Vernon School System.  Because of her diverse background she quickly became the "go to" person when the high school needed long term substitutes.  After several years of substitute teaching, she received her teaching certification and became the full time Chemistry teacher at Ellington High School.  While she was teaching at Ellington High School, she helped to develop a nationwide curriculum, "Consumer Chemistry" designed especially for students who were not in college preparatory programs.  She retired from formal teaching in 1993.

In 2018 she and Rudy moved to Henry Ford Village (now Allegria Village) where she participated in a book club and a pinochle club.  She continued to use her sewing skills with the "sewing circle," doing alterations and making repairs for other residents of the Village.  She was active on the Resident's Council where she also served as vice-chair.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents, and her brothers David, Roger, and Thomas.  She is survived by her travel partner (husband) of 72 years (Rudy), her two sons Rudy Jr. (Priscilla), and David (Colleen Dargie), four grand-daughters and a great-grandson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

As per her request, there will be no services.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Perl Family Scholarship at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Gifts can be made by check and mailed to, Eden Theological Seminary , Attn: Development Office, 475 E. Lockwood Ave. St. Louis, MO  63119  (please indicate Betty's name in the memo) or online (Donation Form – Eden Theological Seminary). Alternatively, gifts can be made to the Heidelberg Fund - Unrestricted Scholarships in honor of Betty.  Gifts may be made online at alumni.heidelberg.edu/give or checks can be mailed to Heidelberg University, 310 East Market Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883. Donations may also be made to a charity of your choice.