Betty Elaine Edwards

Betty Elaine Simmons was born Nov. 4, 1941 in Fairbury, NE. Her parents were Lloyd and Veda Simmons. Her siblings were Marjorie, Lonnie and Estel.

Betty had four children: David, Danny, Peggy and Lisa and a bonus daughter, Kim Van Nortwick.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Veda Simmons, brother and sister-in-law Lonnie and Alberta Simmons, husbands Corden Vail, Bob Fikar, Irv Jensen and Ken Edwards, son Danny Vail and grandsons Matthew Pittman and Cameron Vail. She is survived by son David (Leslie Martin) Vail, Omaha, NE, daughters Peggy (Tim) Galloway, Mahaska, KS, Lisa (Steve) Seyfert, Wilber, NE and Kim (Lynn) Van Nortwick, Belleville, KS, sisters Marjorie (Harold) Lane of Fairbury, NE, Estel (Melvin) Edwards, Narka, KS, best friend and honorary sister Shirley Achtemeier, Fairbury, NE, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Family was everything to her. She often bragged about how many grandchildren and great-grandchildren she had and could list off all the names – given enough time. She looked forward for hugs and visits whenever the opportunity would arise. Her extended family meant just as much as her immediate family. Time with her cousins was always a good time reminiscing about the good old days when life was simple, carefree and fun. Her road trips with her siblings and their spouses were some of her favorites. There was never a dull moment when they all piled in a vehicle and took off together. It didn’t matter if it was going to garage sales or going to Wyoming to see their cousins, there was always love and laughter involved and a few shenanigans along the way. Her nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews gave her so much joy! She was always happiest when there were kids in her house. She always kept toys, books, and snacks ‘just in case’ she had a visit. She loved being a part of everyone’s lives.

Betty grew up in the Mahaska, Narka, Fairbury area attending grade school in Reynolds before changing to Mahaska after 3 ^rd grade. She loved her school years! She always had lots of stories to tell about the fun things they did – square dancing (they made it to state one year!), football games, being in the band and school plays – all of it. One of her most favorite times of the year was Memorial Day weekend when the Mahaska Alumni gathered in Mahaska to catch up and have fun. She was very proud of being a Mahaska Cardinal.

Betty loved her church family. She looked forward to going to church and was so disappointed when her health took a turn and she couldn’t go any more. Her faith in God is what kept her going when she didn’t think she could take another step during those times when life got hard. She thanked God every day for the blessings she received.

Betty worked many jobs during her lifetime. She waited tables at the Red Rooster in Jansen, played drums and sang in a band, made vice-grips in DeWitt for 13 years and owned her own daycare business in DeWitt, NE. She kept in contact with many of her daycare kids who not only wrote to her but invited her to their weddings and baby showers. Later, she and her friend Jan started a cleaning business when she lived in Narka called Partners in Grime. She was always busy. Always. Once she retired, she stayed busy with bible study, going to dances at the VFW, visiting family and friends and puttering around her house. She bought her first house all by herself at the age of 75 and was very proud of that.

Betty was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 28th at 11:00 am at the Presbyterian Church in Mahaska, KS. A luncheon will be served at the community building in Mahaska following the service. Interment will be in the Swanton Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to the family's choice.