Betty Ellen Delaney
1930 - 2021
Former Woodston resident, Betty Ellen Delaney, age 90, passed away February 11, 2021, in Hill City, Kansas.
She was born July 1, 1930 in rural Osborne County, Kansas to Irvin and Bessie (Doak) Earl. Betty grew up on the family farm outside of Alton with her brothers Bob and Bill. She attended Liberty Bell Country Grade School. She continued her education and graduated from Woodston High School in 1948.
Two years after graduation, Betty married Robert Lee Delaney August 11, 1950 in Littleton, Colo. To this union three children were born: James Lee, Kathy Leona, and William Martin. Prior to this union, she had one son, Alvy Joe Doak.
Bob and Betty renewed their marriage vows August 11, 1984, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. In August of 2000, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends. They made their home in Woodston for 36 years before relocating to Hays where they owned and managed rental apartments. In 2006, due to health conditions, they sold their rentals and moved to Hill City to be closer to family. Betty enjoyed watching her great-grandchildren and was always ready with a snack for them whenever they arrived. She was a business owner, caregiver, certified medication aide, and loving wife and mother. Betty truly wore many hats!
Betty and Robert loved to travel. Their trip to Hawaii in 1980 was a highlight in her life that she reminisced about through the years. In 1994, they traveled with daughter Kathy and family to Las Vegas, where Kathy recalls having to drag Betty away from the slots. Also, several trips were taken with Jim to Alaska to see Bill. They loved fishing for halibut and salmon, and then canning them. To this day those adventures in Alaska are talked about.
Through the years Betty was a very busy gardener. She loved growing vegetables and canning. After all this hard work, she was famous for giving away most of her delicious, preserved goodies.
At granddaughter Ashley’s wedding in September 2019, Betty stole the show when she rode down the aisle in a golf cart as the flower girl. Betty turned 90 in 2020 and a large Hawaiian themed celebration was planned. However, due to COVID, it had to be cancelled. She was so excited when, instead of a party, the family had a card shower. Betty received hundreds of cards which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Delaney; her parents; and her brothers Bob and Bill Earl.
She is survived by her children: Jim and friend Linda Winters of Hill City, Kathy and husband Ron Wolfrum of Stratton, Colo., Bill of Glenallen, Alaska, and Joe Doak and wife Linda of Thermopolis, Wyo.; nine grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Betty will be remembered for her sense of humor and unconditional love for her family.
Funeral services were held Thursday, February 18, at 11:00 a.m. at Stinemetz Funeral Home in Hill City. Burial was in St. Aloysuis Cemetery, Osborne.
Memorials are suggested to Graham County Hospital (Hospice) and may be sent in care of Stinemetz Funral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy Avenue, Hill City, KS 67642.
