Betty Thompson

Betty Jeanne Thompson, age 90, died on November 3, 2024, at Larksfield Healthcare Center in Wichita.

She was born on April 11, 1934, on the family farm south of Oxford, to Eugene Louis Gardiner and Lela Martha (Lodge).  For grades 1-8, she attended a one-room schoolhouse at Jenkins Grade School. She and her brother Edmond rode their horse, Dan, 2 ½ miles to school.  She attended Oxford High School and graduated in 1952.

In 1952, she married the love of her life, Harold Taylor Thompson of Harper, Kans. Shortly after their marriage, her husband was deployed to the Korean War. She worked at Wellington St. Luke’s Hospital from 1952-1972, where she was a Nurse’s Aide in the Nursery, an OB Nurse, and a Supervisor of central supply. She also worked at a diet center in Wellington.Betty’s happy place was the family cabin on the Chikaskia River, where she enjoyed playing in the river and fishing. She also loved traveling the country in their motorhome.  Her favorite places were Arizona and Arkansas, where they enjoyed going to the passion play numerous times. She enjoyed feeding birds from her many bird feeders, but especially feeding hummingbirds.  Bingo was a favorite pastime. She and her husband enjoyed a variety of irises, tulips, and roses in their garden.  One of her favorite singers was Ronnie Milsap. At 82 years old, she had front-row seats at one of his concerts.

Some say she never knew a stranger and could converse with almost anyone. One time, someone called and had the wrong number; she talked to them for 1 ½ hours.  She was spunky, persistent, determined, friendly, and had a big heart.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and a cherished friend to many.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and great-grandson.

Betty is survived by four children: Donna (Paul) Hultman of Newton, KS, Eldon (Dawn) Thompson of Fort Scott, KS, Ruth (Pete) Diaz of Park City, KS, and Paul (Scott) Thompson of Westminster, MD, 6 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Oxford Funeral Service, 104 N. Sumner Ave., Oxford, KS 67119. Burial will follow at the Oxford Cemetery. No visitation is scheduled. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or left in the care of the Oxford Funeral Service.