Donna Lee Bettenbrock (1938-2015)
An ordinary life is filled with extraordinary stories. Donna Lee Bettenbrock passed away Monday, Aug. 24, 2015 in Marquette, Kan. She was born Sept. 15, 1938 to Duane and Clara Srader in Salina, Kan. Big sister to Sharon, Gary, Gale, Bill and Carla, the siblings were raised in the charming rural American town which is Marquette. Donna married Carl W. Bettenbrock of Geneseo Dec. 26, 1959. Carl and Donna raised four children on the family ranch in Ellsworth County — Les Richards (wife, Theresa) of Sylvan Grove, Robert Bettenbrock of Salina, LaDonna Abuyan (husband, Jonathon) of Vancouver, Wash. and James Bettenbrock (wife, Karla), of Geneseo. Christian, rancher’s wife, mother, grandma, Sunday school teacher, and 4-H leader just to name a few of her many roles in her life. Donna was a member of the EHU in Ellsworth County. She held the position of president of the Ellsworth County ARC in the 1970s. Donna was an active member of the UMW. She spent many hours volunteering for the historical society and served as secretary for the Buckeye Cemetery. She was a member of the Ellsworth County election board. Donna was an artist and avid crafter. Donna had seven grandchildren whom she helped raise and love with the devotion only a grandma embraces — Sabrina Bourbon (husband, Troy), Ellsworth; Quinton Richards (wife, Haley), Sylvan Grove; Lena Herediaperez (husband, Samuel), Jacksonville, Fla.; Paige Bettenbrock, Geneseo; Lindsay Abuyan, Vancouver, Wash.; Clayton Bettenbrock, Geneseo; and Jadon Abuyan, Vancouver, Wash.. Her grandchildren had made her a great-grandmother 10 times over ranging in ages of 17 to 2. Donna also leaves behind her beloved pet Sheltie, Sadie, who was her constant companion since the passing of Carl in 2010. Donna was also preceded in death by her parents; twin granddaughters, Anna Marie and Mari Lynn Richards; and sister, Sharon Pede. Visitation is from 1 to 8 p.m. today (Thursday), at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at the funeral home, with burial following in Buckeye Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Kanopolis or Buckeye Cemetery, c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
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