Betty Jean Lofland

Betty Jean (Baerg) Lofland died July 6, 2026 in Pasadena, CA. She was born June 26, 1930 at Hillsboro, Kansas, to Peter A. and Ruth (Schroeder) Baerg, both second generation German Mennonite immigrants from Ukraine. Betty grew up in a series of small Kansas towns and fondly remembered her childhood particularly in Ramona, KS, where she would go door to door raising money for war bonds and gathering scrap metal in her wagon to offset her family's pacifism. She worked at a soda fountain before attending Tabor and McPherson Colleges which she enjoyed. She later obtained a Masters Degree in History from the University of Bridgeport, CT.

Betty was a career teacher, mainly English and History, teaching for more than 40 years, beginning in a rural school near Copeland, KS, and the public schools of Newton, KS. Betty's early interest in foreign places and cultures was encouraged by her joining an international Mennonite student tour of Europe in 1955. The trip, which was a life changing experience, included six weeks of travel and four weeks working at MCC Pax programs in Frankfurt and Vienna.

On October 17, 1958, Betty married Norman L. Lofland, also a career teacher, and also a Kansan. After Norman's first teaching position at Bethel College, KS, the couple spent most of their teaching years in universities overseas, including in Lebanon, Iran, Tunisia, China, Turkish Cyprus, and Macau. Betty loved the friendships she made around the world and sharing her faith.

After retiring from the University of Macau, the couple retired to Pasadena, CA, but continued to return to Macau approximately six months of each year as volunteers with the Anglican Schools of Macau. She co-authored several books on the fascinating history of Macau. Betty and Norman were longstanding members of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena. Norman preceded her in death on May 2nd 2025. Betty is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Natasha and Paul Brown, two granddaughters, nine nieces and six nephews.