On February 7, 2023, Betty Lou Elder, PhD., RN, 69, beloved Daughter, Sister, and Aunt peacefully passed away after a short stay at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, KS.
Betty entered this world on September 13,
1953, born to Orin W. Elder and Mary Lou (Dick) Elder in Red Cloud,
Nebraska. Although preceded in death by her father, Betty enjoyed
sharing the same birthday with her father. Also preceding her in death
was her brother, William (Bill) Elder and nephew Hayden Elder.
Betty is survived by her mother, Mary Lou Elder, her sister Carol Morris
(Robert) of Hastings, Nebraska, and loving brother Robert Elder (Lori),
Olathe, Kansas and her beloved Nieces, Torri Morris Colboch, Kim Seward
and Nephews Jacob Elder, Garrett Elder and John Elder.
Betty graduated from Smith Center High School, Smith Center, KS, class
of 1971. After graduating from high school she pursued a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University and
Wichita State University. Betty earned many degrees over her lifetime
including two PhDs, one in Genetics from Texas A&M University and a
PhD in Curriculum & Instruction-Science Education from the
University of Nebraska.
Betty enjoyed a long and illustrious teaching career beginning in 1974
as a 2nd grade teacher in Lakin, KS, and in 1976 as a 1st grade teacher
in Beloit, KS. As an adventure she left Kansas to take a position as a
park ranger in Yellowstone National Park and even was part of the forest
fire team. She returned to the area and began her post-secondary
teaching career at Fort Hays State University and at Texas A&M
University. She was an instructor at multiple colleges, Central
Community College in Grand Island, NE, Johnson County Community College
in Overland Park, KS and Bryan School of Nursing in Lincoln, NE. She
joined Wichita State University teaching multiple courses for many years
in the Nursing Department where she completed her teaching career
retiring as an Associate Professor of Nursing in 2019.
Betty’s career was important to her, however; her family was more
important. She shared many wonderful occasions with nieces and nephews
including traveling, camping, boating and tubing. She treated them all
as if they were her own children. After moving to Topeka with her
mother and father, she became a fulltime caregiver to both of her
parents. In Topeka she received and cherished the love, support, and
companionship from her niece, Torri.
Betty enjoyed traveling, kayaking, and quilting. She was an avid Kansas
State football fan and loved attending their bowl games, including the
last one against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on December 31, 2022.
Visitation, Monday, February 13, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at
Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 S. Seneca St., Wichita, KS 67213, with
service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Seltzer Springs
Cemetery, Wichita, KS.
Those who wish to remember Betty in a special way may make gifts in her
memory to Wichita State University School of Nursing