Betty L. Funk

Betty L. (Weinbrenner) Funk 92, died Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas following a brief illness.  She was born July 21, 1925 in Newton, Kansas to Albert A and Vida D. (Aurenheimer) Weinbrenner.  On August 22, 1947 she married the love of her life Ray N. Funk in Reedley, California and he preceded her in death on December 27, 2008.  Together they welcomed five children into their family Jan, Miriam, Mark, Rodney and Carole.  She was a graduate of Reedley, CA High School and earned a Bachelor’s of Home Economics from Bethel College.  Education was important to Betty and she was a lifelong learner and instilled that value in her children and their families. She continued to seamlessly keep the family’s bookkeeping updated right up to a few months ago.

Betty was a longtime resident of Hillsboro, Kansas where she worked closely alongside her husband owning and operating the former Gambles Hardware Store and the Trail Lanes Bowling Center.  Betty and Ray were always a close team and with vision and energy they invested in the Hillsboro Community that they called home. While living in Hillsboro they were members of the Trinity Mennonite Church and attended Bethel College Mennonite Church after moving to Newton nearly 14 years ago.

Those who knew Betty could always expect a warm genuine smile when they encountered her be that around town, in her home or at her newest adventure in her life living at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton.  While living at Kidron she expanded her many friendships to include her fellow residents and neighbors.  Flowers, yardwork and being in nature were a joy of Betty’s and she often shared she had the “room with the best view” at Kidron where she could continue to enjoy God’s creation right outside her room.

Of all of Betty’s accomplishments and adventure’s in her life she considered that of being a loving and supportive wife, mother and friend most important of all.  She loved to be surrounded by her children and their families.  There are many memories of Saturday’s at her house where you would smell the fresh zwieback coming from her kitchen.  Christmas and holiday gatherings were a special time in her house.  Betty will be greatly missed and the void she leaves in her family will be very hard to fill, but it seems fitting that our Mom and our friend is spending Christmas with Jesus and our Dad this year.

Betty is survived by her children: Mark E. Funk and his wife Donna of North Newton, KS; Rodney W. Funk of Hillsboro, KS; Jan Kelly and her husband John of Newton, KS; Miriam Siebert and her husband Rick of Marshfield, MO; Carole and her husband Marcus Brown of LaQuinta, CA.  She is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Kerry, Colton and Cassidy Funk; Jennifer Rewkowski, Julie Lindenmeyer, Jamie Harris, Kristi Harris, Tennille Terry, Lisa Burbridge, Nathan Brown and Autumn Brown. She has 11 great grandchildren and a very special “Granddog” Chevy.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents and husband.

A private family inurnment will be at Haven of Rest Cemetery in Hillsboro, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to Bethel College, Mennonite Central Committee or Bethel College Mennonite Church in care of Petersen Funeral Home.