Betty Lorene Roeder Henson

Betty Lorene Roeder Henson passed away on Wednesday, 26 April, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospice House in Kansas City. Her husband of 51 years, Paul H. Henson former Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Sprint and long-time civic leader, died in 1997. Upon moving from Lincoln, Nebraska, to Kansas City in 1959, the Henson's became actively involved in many community activities. Betty was passionate about Kansas City. She served on the Boards of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Crittenton Home, The Visiting Nurse Association, the Missouri Repertory Theatre, and Children's Mercy Hospital. She was a past President of the Kansas City Symphony League and a past Chairman of the Jewel Ball. Betty and her husband provided physical and financial support to countless civic and nonprofit events both regionally in Kansas City and nationally. Betty was a member of the Village Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Kansas City Country Club, River Club, Eldorado Country Club, and Old Baldy Club. She attended the University of Nebraska and remained a fervent, life-long Cornhusker fan. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents, George and Stella Roeder, her brother, Robert Roeder and son-in-law, David Pener. She is survived by daughters, Susan Flury (Kent), Fairway, KS, and Lizbeth Pener, Leawood, KS, as well as her grandchildren, Lindsay Flury Tucker (Bill), New Canaan, CT, Ryan Flury (Sarah), Kenilworth, IL, Alexis Barelli, Seattle, WA, Annalisa Barelli (Nathan Malmgren), Port Townsend, WA, and Brandon Flury (Kathryn), Potomac, MD; seven great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Our humblest appreciation to all the Caregivers who gave the gentlest of care to Betty! Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at the Village Presbyterian Church. The family suggests contributions be made to Children's Mercy Hospital, Village Presbyterian Church or St. Luke's Hospice House.