Betty Joy (Zweifel) Pruter
1936 - 2024
Betty Joy (Zweifel) Pruter, 87, of Natoma, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at her home.
She was born June 26, 1936, on the family farm near Waldo, Kansas. She was one of four children born to Robert and Bernice (Clow) Zweifel. She grew up in the Waldo area and graduated from Waldo High School. She then attended Ft. Hays State University and graduated with a degree in Education.
Betty was united in marriage to Orville Leon Pruter on June 5, 1955, in Amherst, Kansas. This union had six children: Dale, Susie, Gale, Daryl, Doug, and Kevin. They made their home in the Natoma area. Orville preceded her in death on October 30, 2020.
Betty was a teacher and a devoted farmer’s wife. She taught at four country schools before teaching at Zurich School District. Later, she worked at Natoma Unified School District, from which she retired.
She was a member of the Amherst Methodist Church, then attended the Plainville Church of the Nazarene, was church treasurer for many years, and attended the New Life Church of Natoma for the last few years. She was a County Commissioner for eight years, a past President of the Kansas Teachers Union, and a member of the KNEA, Kansas area agency member.
She was a community-minded individual who loved helping people out. She enjoyed oil painting and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in her spare time.
Betty’s surviving family includes her four sons: Gale Pruter (Teresa) of Osborne, Daryl Pruter (Lise) of Neodesha, Kansas, Doug Pruter (Dina) of Natoma, and Kevin Pruter (France) of Blue Springs, Missouri; brother, Robert Zweifel, Jr. (Kathy) of Waldo, Kansas; sisters, Barbara Tyree (Jim) of Wilson, Kansas and Peggy Martin (Doug) of Nixa, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and five on the way.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orville; son, Dale Pruter; and daughter, Susan LaJoy.
A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the New Life Church of Natoma. Burial will follow at the Natoma City Cemetery. The family will be present to greet friends on the morning of the service, from 10:00 a.m. to service time.
A Memorial has been established with the New Life Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
