Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Betty Ann Fulton, passed away Friday, September 6, 2024. She was 92 years old. Betty's love for her family was unwavering, and she was the heart of our home and family. To quote Betty, "I love my family; they are my life."
Betty was born January 13th, 1932, in Plattsmouth, NE, to Alois “Louis” and Stephanie (Svoboda) Kostka. Betty was the youngest of nine children. Mom always told us that she was born in a blizzard, and the doctor had to come to the house to deliver her. She was a tiny baby, so they put her in a shoebox near the stove pipe oven to keep her warm.
Betty graduated from Omaha Technical High School in 1949, where she participated in various club activities. As a teen, she was a member of the Sokol Gymnastics Association, where she competed in gymnastics and volleyball.
Betty married Charles Farrel Fulton on February 16, 1952; together, they raised three children, Steven C. Fulton, David A. Fulton, and Charleen M. (Fulton) Buswell, in a happy and loving home in central Omaha.
Betty's vocation was secretarial when she retired, doing administrative work for the Masonic Manor. Before that, she worked as a clerk at Wohlner's Grocery, secretary Fox Photo, and processor Woodman of the World Life Insurance Company.
Betty enjoyed her grandchildren; she was the grandmother of six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was a delightful and affectionate grandma with an infectious laugh, often called "Gammy Goo" by Hannah Buswell. Betty's love for her grandchildren was palpable in their cherished memories of her, from lunching at Mahoney State Park to Vacation Bible School at Central Presbyterian Church and sleepovers, to name a few.
Betty was a woman of faith. She and her husband, Charles, served as deacons at the Central Presbyterian Church on 55th and Leavenworth. She was the church's treasurer for many years and belonged to the Women's Association. She and Charles also worked on the Evangelism Committee and sacked groceries for those in need.
Betty loved Nebraska Cornhusker college football and volleyball almost as much as her family. She enjoyed family vacations to Minnesota for fishing and scenic vacations to Colorado and South Dakota. She also had a talent for oil painting and ceramics. Loved music from the 50’s and as the daughter of Czech immigrants, polka dancing and cooking Czech food were in her DNA.
Betty was preceded in death by her spouse, Charles; parents, Louis and Stephanie Kostka; brothers, Louis, Frank, Charles, George, and James; sisters, Stephania Madison, Mildred Weiss, and Helen Vesely; and sisters-in-law, Sally Becker and Rita Schall.
Left to cherish her memory are her three children: Steven (Roberta) Fulton, Dave (Merrillin) Fulton, and Charleen (Todd) Buswell. Six grandchildren: Mallory (Evan) Ratcliffe, Kelci (Tony) Wood, Emerson (Melanie) Fulton, Brent Fulton, Rachel (Josh) Krzemien, and Hannah (Grady) Lohrenz; seven great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Pam (Fulton) Baumann. Her extended family includes many beloved nieces and nephews.
VISITATION: Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Friday, September 13, 2024, at 9:00 AM before the funeral service at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home, 5701 Center Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68106.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent in her honor to The Hospice House (Josie Harper) located at 7415 Cedar Street, Omaha, NE 68124.
