Betty Howard

Betty Fern Woodall Howard died October 13, 2020 at Oakley, KS at age 99. Her husband Frank Wilson Howard, Jr. preceded her in death on Nov. 4, 2010. They married in Colby, KS on September 20, 1942.

Betty and her husband lived on a wheat and cattle farm seven miles north of Oakley where they raised five children. Betty served as Logan County Hospital director of nursing for 30 years. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, enjoyed the Homemakers, Sunshine Club, Red Hat Ladies and Logan County Hospital retired personnel lunches. She volunteered at the Second Time Around Shop and for church events and activities.

A calm, friendly, kind and loving wife, mother, friend, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Betty was cherished by many. She had a deep-seated faith, tremendous energy and a steel backbone that helped her cope with difficult challenges including a son’s death, caring for her parents-in-law for years as they aged and then her husband during his declining years. She also gave a helping hand to the farm operations.

Born on September 14, 1921, in Bent County, Colorado to Ruth Mae Beach and Ammy W. Woodall, Betty grew up in Hutchinson and Colby, KS. She graduated from Colby High School and then from Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Hutchinson where she was first place in her class academically. However, the graduation honor was awarded by administrators to the second highest student, as they knew Betty planned to marry after her graduation. They determined the honor should go to someone who planned to start working as a nurse. When questioned about the incident Betty in her typical gracious way said, “She was a very deserving student too.” The nursing school classmates kept in close contact throughout their lives.

Betty’s father also opposed her marriage as he feared Frank who had been drafted into the army would be sent to Europe during WWII and never return. Betty who had faith he would return was able to join Frank when he was stationed in California and Texas and was expecting their first child when his orders for Europe came. After a number of assignments and landing on D-Day plus 13, Frank arrived back home when their son was almost two years old.

Married for 68 years, Betty and Frank raised five children, Frank (Normi), Peoria, IL; Carolyn (Robert Rice), Carmel, CA; Linda (Tom West), Durango, CO; Elaine (Alan Adams) Salida, CO. David of Oakley predeceased his parents in 2004 as did two siblings, James Woodall of Colby and Zella Mae Crane of Kerman, CA. Betty is survived by a sister, Donna (Bob Purdum) of Simi Valley, CA, and two nephews, Jim and Chris Woodall who reside at the Howard farm. Their presence enabled Frank and Betty to continue living on the farm though their upper 80s.

Betty enjoyed Scrabble and Upwords games, fishing trips to Kansas lakes with her husband and many trips throughout the United States including Hawaii and Alaska and foreign travel to Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and India. She traveled to India at age 91 for a granddaughter’s wedding and a three-week tour of the country. The couple had snowbird winters in Texas for several years in their fifth-wheeler.

Her grandchildren are Michael Howard, Scott Howard, Pam Rice, Jim Rice, Diane West, Chuck West, Mariah Kanakia, Amy Dreiling and Mark Adams. Betty has 16-great-grandchildren, a number of beloved nieces and nephews and several step grandsons and granddaughters.

Betty died following a Covid illness and will be buried at the Oakley Cemetery with a private family service. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Oakley United Methodist Church or the Logan County Senior Living Center and can be sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Her family appreciates the care given her by the staff of the Logan County Senior Living Center where she resided the past four years.