In Memory Of
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Elizabeth J. “Betty” (Bowhay) Olberding
St. Benedict, Kansas
01/15/1948 - 06/23/2025
Elizabeth J. “Betty” (Bowhay) Olberding, 77, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025, at Midland Care Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas, surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born on January 15, 1948, to Virgil and Theodora “Dora” (Kuckelman) Bowhay. She attended Kelly Elementary and High School, graduating in 1966. She went on to study at the Florence Cook Department of L.P.N. at KU Medical Center, completing her training in 1968.
A lifelong learner and devoted nurse, Betty later specialized in obstetrics, joining the OB team at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in 1989. That same year, she became certified in Breast Self-Examination and Mammography through St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. In 1990, she earned her certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. For 26 years, Betty served Nemaha Valley Community Hospital with passion and care, working in numerous roles including Outpatient Clinic Coordinator, circulating nurse in surgery, and recovery room nurse. She was also IV-certified.
Throughout her career, Betty worked at Country View Estates in Seneca, Community Memorial Hospital in Marysville, and served as a nurse’s aide at both St. Luke’s and St. Joseph Hospitals in Kansas City while studying. Even in retirement, her commitment to care continued through her work at local care homes including Eastridge, Crestview, Frankfort Care Home, and private care for Don Schurman.
On May 9, 1970, Betty married the love of her life, Albert Olberding Jr. Together they raised their five children on the family dairy farm in St. Benedict, Kansas. Their children include Michele (Richard Jr.) Dugan of St. George, KS; twin daughters Mary Ann (1973) and Monica (Toby) Countryman of Quinter, KS; and two sons, Ryan (Holly Grund) Olberding of Wamego, KS, and Gerard (Megan Niehues) Olberding of St. Benedict, KS. She loved watching her children in all their many activities from their days at B&B High School and Highland Community College. They continued their love of watching sporting activities by always watching the K-State Wildcats, Chiefs, Royals and all of her grandchildren’s sports and activities. Most notably, Betty was extremely devoted to her faith, family, and friends.
Betty was a woman of faith and service. A devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, she served as President and Secretary of the Altar Society. She was active in the Richmond Township Women’s Republican Committee, served as a 4-H community and project leader, participated in EHU, the Health Fair Committee, and volunteered with the American Red Cross.
Her hobbies were many and joyful; she loved reading, baking, embroidery, gardening, traveling, and later in life, playing bridge and going on adventures with her close circle of friends. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, and she was a proud and devoted grandmother to nine: Spencer (Grace Mernagh) Dugan of Wichita and Grant Dugan of St. George; Kaitlyn, Brooklyn, and Kade Countryman of Quinter; Kyra and Brady Olberding of Wamego; and Jaci and Tessa Olberding of St. Benedict. Her siblings Bob (Kathy) Bowhay of Debois, NE, Jim (Thelma) Bowhay of Netawaka, KS, Mary (Ken) Boeckman of Kansas City, MO, Arminda (Jim) Feldkamp of Wamego KS, and Marge (Dennis) Miller of Frankfort, KS.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Albert Jr. (2024), her daughter Mary Ann Olberding; her parents Virgil and Dora; her in-laws, Albert Sr. and Emma Olberding; siblings Jack Bowhay, Virginia Mitchell, Ed Bowhay and her sister-in-law Teresa Olberding (1941).
Rosaries will be held at Lauer Funeral Home at 2 and 7 P.M on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The Mass of Christian Burial mass will be at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, with interment at the church cemetery next to her husband Albert. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict.
Rosaries will be held at Lauer Funeral Home at 2 and 7 P.M on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The Mass of Christian Burial mass will be at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, with interment at the church cemetery next to her husband Albert.
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Sending my love, sympathy & prayer to Michelle, Monica, Ryan & Gerard in the passing of their mother, Betty. I have lost a life long friend.
May Betty rest in peace in her heavenly home.
Marilyn Holthaus
There has to be a special place in Heaven for Betty. So kind, compassionate, and giving. Lovely sense of humor that was never mean. We are so grateful to have had both Betty and Jr in our lives. Our hearts go out to all the family and to Marilyn Holthaus. She will leave a large hole in our hearts.💞
Carrol and Georgia Gudenkauf
Our love to you Michele, Dick, and all of Betty’s family. Thinking of you and praying for you. God bless you all.
Karol and Gary Fike
Betty was not only a classmate but a good friend throughout the years. We room together in Kansas City while we both worked at St. Luke’s Hospital on the plaza while waiting to get into LPN school at KU. We room together again during our nursing training and shared many a fun time Before she moved back home to marry the love of her life and start her nursing career we have kept in contact through throughout the years by Facebook and Hometown visits. My heart and prayers go out to her family. She will be missed. May she rest in peace.
Our sympathy to Betty’s children, her and Jr were nice to work with at NVCHospital.May she rest in peace and join Jr.
Thinking of you and sending prayers for comfort and healing to all of Betty’s family.
Betty was a good friend and we always had fun together. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I deeply regret I will be unable to be at the rosary or funeral.
Michele, Dick and family,
So sorry for the loss of your mother. Thinking of you at this difficult time, and keeping you in our prayers.
Sending sympathy to the Betty’s family. She was a great patient advocate when I worked with her at Nemaha Valley. May she rest in peace.
Many fond memories of the Olberding household while caring for Emma in the 90’s. Betty and Junior were always so very thoughtful of Emma and I enjoyed helping them provide her her home care. Also Betty comes to a pleasant mind caring for so many in Outpatient Care at NVCH. Working in surgery and Medical Records I had many contacts with Betty there. Always a pleasant smile and the patient always came first with Betty. Love you kids and am praying for Comfort in Betty’s passing. She was a beautiful lady, always so neat and tidy. Loved my Home Health days at their home with Emma and getting to know you kids. Rest in Peace Betty and so happy for you to be with Junior and Emma!!
So very sorry for your loss. Betty was a wonderful lady. God bless you all.
Prayers to the Olberding family! Betty will be truly missed! I enjoyed working with both Betty and Bert! learned so much from her!
So very sorry for your loss. Sending Hugs and Prayers to all !!!