Bette J. Frisch, 81, of Germansville, died on Feb. 19, 2016, in Fellowship Manor, Whitehall.

She and her husband Walter J. Frisch were married 59 years on Jan. 19.

Born Feb. 16, 1935, in Germansville, she was the daughter of the late Elwood E. and Glendora S. A. (Metzger) Handwerk.

A graduate of Penn State University, she was an elementary school teacher in the Northwestern Lehigh School District for more than 30 years before retiring in 1993.

Active in the life of her church and community, she was a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church where she served as organist for 40 years.

She was a life member of Central Grange 1650, Germansville, and Penn State Alumni Association, where in 1953 as a freshman, she won the Women’s Tractor Driving Contest.

She was a member of the Lehigh County Agricultural Society.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by children, Cathy E. Poust of Germansville, Caroleen B. Frassinelli of Anderson, S.C., Walter F. Frisch of Germansville, Colette J. Wint of Hellertown, John J. Frisch of Germansville; sister Fern M. Danner of Germansville; brother the Rev. Dr. Gene E. Handwerk of New Tripoli; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

She was predeceased by granddaughters Jenny and Megan.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at heintzelmancares.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Neighborhood Center c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-0196.

Arrangements made by Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Schnecksville.