Elizabeth "Betty" Bennett Kopke

Betty Ann was christened at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and attended there throughout her childhood. She attended and graduated from Southwest High School in Kansas City, Mo., and attended the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque (Go Lobos!), where she joined the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority.

Betty married Gerald Moore on June 12, 1952, and she and Jerry had two children, David and Nancy. That marriage ended in 1976. Betty worked at Kansas University Medical Center as an administrative assistant. Through hard work and dedication she rose in responsibility at KU to become the Supervising Administrative Assistant in the Orthopedics Department before her retirement.

Betty married Earl Kopke in April, 1995, and they made a new home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they enjoyed 23 wonderful years. Betty was a member of St. Chad’s Episcopal Church of Albuquerque, where she served on the Altar Guild, many committees, participated in community programs and contributed to numerous parish projects. Among her many acts of service, she and Earl helped with fellowship meals and Betty lovingly knitted baby blankets for missionaries to distribute.

Betty also embraced her love for travel, and enjoyed many cruises and ventured to far-off destinations, including Europe, Ireland and Russia, with Earl and with her sister, Kay Gorten. Betty’s adventurous spirit also took her hiking across the Flint Hills of Kansas, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico and Mt. McKinley National Park in Alaska.

Betty Ann passed away on November 1, 2025 in Leawood, Kansas and is survived by her sister, Kay Gorten of League City, Tx, and Kay’s children, Susan Booth of Austin, Tx, Laura & Gabriel Carvajal of Houston, Tx, and Brian Gorten of San Antonio, Tx.

Betty’s daughter, Nancy K. Miller & Terry Miller of Peculiar, Mo.,

Betty’s son, David & Karen Moore of Douglas County, Kansas,

Betty’s Grandchildren, Zach Miller of Harrisonville, Mo., Jesse Miller of Peculiar, Mo., and Katie Miller of Wichita, Ks., Sarah Winter & Capt. Jonathon Winter of Wiesbaden, Germany, Rebekah Moore of Herington, Ks., Andrew Moore and Jessica Moore of Clairton, Pa., Thomas Moore and Kaylee Moore of Ham Lake, Mn., and Harold Moore, Samuel Moore and Michael Moore with their parents in Douglas County, Ks. Betty’s Great-Grandchildren, Mina Winter, Isabelle Winter, Harrison Winter, and Anakin Moore.

A Memorial service will be held at 10 am on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, 16808 Holmes Road, Belton, MO 64012.

Donations to St. Mary Magdalene or The Brightfocus Foundation, a research charity that focuses on Macular Degeneration are suggested.