1934-2024
Betty Jeanne Thompson, age 90, passed away on November 3, 2024 at Larksfield Healthcare Center in Wichita, KS.
She was born on April 11th, 1934 on the family farm south of Oxford, KS to Eugene Louis Gardiner and Lela Martha (Lodge). For grades 1-8, she attended a one room school house at Jenkins Grade School. Her and her brother Edmond rode their horse Dan, 2 ½ miles to school. She attended Oxford High School and graduated in 1952.
She married the love of her life Harold Taylor Thompson of Harper, KS in 1952. Shortly after being married, her husband was deployed to the Korean War. She worked at Wellington St. Luke’s Hospital from 1952-1972 where she worked as a Nurse’s Aide, in the Nursery, OB Nurse and Supervised 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. Some of 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 iris, tulips and roses in their garden. One of her favorite singers was Ronnie Milsap. At 82 years old, she had front row seats to one of his concerts. She loved to watch NASCAR and always watched the Chiefs play football.
Some say she never knew a stranger and could strike up a conversation with most 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 4 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 10:00 AM 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, donations may be left in the care of the Oxford Funeral Service.
