Betty Jean Elson

Betty J. Elson (Sutlick), 94, Olathe, Kansas passed away on February 29, 2024 at Hospice House in Olathe, Kansas. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2024 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Kansas City, Kansas, where she was a member for over 50 years. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be at Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th Street, Kansas City, Kansas on Thursday, March 7, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00pm with a Prayer Service being held at 6:45 pm.

Betty was born in Kansas City, Kansas on May 8, 1929. She was preceded in death by her husband, Conrad Elson, parents, Mary and Frank Sutlick, a brother, Albert Sutlick, and three older sisters who died at a young age (Helen, Catherine, and Mary Frances).

Betty is survived by four children: Catherine Camp, Conrad G. "Butch" Elson, Jr. (Ginger), Debi Bates (Ralph), and Dianne Schendt (Brian); four grandchildren, Carolynn Cochran (Matt), Jennifer McCloskey (Shaun), Patrick Elson (Elizabeth) and Theresa Lane (Stephen); eight great-grandchildren, (who affectionately called her Grandma Trouble or Grandma T), Mason, Weston and Logan Cochran; Lucas, Norah and Elise McCloskey; Aubrey and Asa Lane.

Betty loved to travel and was always ready for a new adventure. She went on several cruises with her husband Connie, (including a surprise family cruise) and they even took ballroom dancing lessons so they could show off on the dance floor. She traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, and Yugoslavia, and took several Dude Ranch trips where she rode horses every day. She also loved to spend time at her lake house, a life-long dream of hers. She maintained a close circle of high school friends through the years, and they also enjoyed traveling together.

Betty took great pride in her Croatian heritage. She ensured that the tradition of making Povitica bread was passed down by teaching first her daughters, then her grandchildren, and finally, her great-grandchildren, involving them in each step of the process. As the years passed, she could mostly be seen peering over their shoulders, reminding them to be gentle with the dough, and not to forget the sugar.

After graduating from Ward High School, she went to work at Katz Drug Store as a Comptometer Operator. Through the years, she also worked for JC Penney and eventually retired from UPS.

The family would like to thank Nancy Brown for her loving care over the last few years; Betty's neighbors at Asbury Villas (Mary Kay, Martha and John); the staff at Cedar Lake Village Assisted Living, the staff at Good Samaritan Skilled Nursing, and the staff at Olathe Health Hospice House.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Alzheimer's research, an animal shelter or other charity of choice.