Elizabeth Eugenia Korte was born in Glasgow, Missouri, on July 1, 1928, the oldest of six children of Ben and Florence (Brand) Korte. She entered the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood in 1948 and received the name Sister Mary Richard. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and a master’s degree in education and Montessori administration at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sister Betty Jean taught elementary grades at the following Missouri schools: Sacred Heart in Columbia; Holy Innocents and St. John the Baptist in St. Louis; St. Sabina and Sacred Heart in Florissant; Linda Vista Montessori School in Chesterfield; St. Joseph in Cottleville; St. Brendan in Mexico; and St. Anthony of Padua in High Ridge. She also taught at St. Peter’s in Quincy, Illinois.

After retiring from teaching, Sister Betty Jean performed a variety of ministries. She served in hospice ministry, as a caregiver for the elderly and in the Alternative to Prison ministry in Jefferson City, Missouri. From 1993 until 2003 she cooked for the sisters at St. Monica Retirement Center.

Sister Betty Jean was an artist who created beauty in watercolor, in poetry and prose, and in culinary delights. Her attentiveness to the splendors of creation and her careful observation of details enhanced all her creative endeavors.

Sister Betty Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Doris Borges, and her brothers Jack, Ken and Rick. She is survived by her brother Bob, a sister-in-law, Jan, and several nieces and nephews.

Burial was in the convent cemetery.