1/30/1933 – 11/2/2024
Melvern / Lawrence
Born January 30, 1933, in Melvern, KS to John and Beulah Yockey. Betty passed away peacefully November 2, 2024 surrounded by her family and her extended family of caregivers (Star Living and Interim Hospice). Betty was the oldest of four children. Being the oldest of her three siblings, Betty helped raise Patty, Karen and Gary as their mother helped on the farm. She was raised a country girl, loved to ride horses and learned many important life lessons throughout her childhood on the farm. She was an excellent cook, housekeeper, seamstress, problem solver, nurturer, caregiver, volunteer and dancer to name a few.
She married her high school sweetheart, Dale E. Hughes on Dec 1, 1951. They celebrated 65 years of marriage until Dale’s passing in Nov 2017, missing their 66th anniversary by 30 days.
Betty gave birth to three daughters. They lost their first born, Diane Laverne days after her birth in 1952. Betty always said as much as the loss broke her heart, she thought it would kill Dale. God blessed their lives again with two daughters Beverly Lynn in 1953 and Pamela Jo in 1957.
Her Grandest Role was becoming “Mimi” the grandmother, of her four incredible grandsons. Chad Jeremy, Ryan Anthony, Nicholas Brandon and Thomas Scott were her crowning achievement. She was so in love with loving them as babies, through childhood years, as teenagers and now as grown men. They added to her journey with 4 granddaughters and 4 great grandchildren. Her greatest achievements as she declared.
Some of her fondest memories were of her and Dale’s travels. Soon after experiencing their first winter back in Kansas the decision was made to spend the winter in a warmer climate, so they became SNOWBIRDS. They found their home away from home in the desert of Casa Grande, AZ. They spent the next several years in Casa Grande starting the trek earlier each year and returning home later as well.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dale, her infant daughter Diane Laverne and her parents, John and Beulah Yockey. Betty is survived by her loving family. Daughters Beverly Westhoff (Wayne) and Pamela Berger (Steven), Grandsons Chad Westhoff (Jana), Ryan Westhoff (Ashley), Nicholas Berger (Raegann) and Thomas Berger (Kara), Great grandchildren, Colton Berger, Miles Berger, Luke Westhoff and Daphne Westhoff, Sisters Patricia Sawin (Robert), Karen Winters and Brother Gary Yockey (Linda).
The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Betty’s name.
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