Betty Louise Greenhouse

Betty Louise Greenhouse, 92, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away March 7, 2022 at home of natural causes. She was born December 10, 1929 to Dillard and Nannie Brewer in Zoe, Kentucky. She was the middle child of 9 kids and enjoyed her large family.

Betty graduated from Alvan Drew School – Class of 1947 in Pine Ridge, Kentucky. After graduation, she and her friend, Ruby, decided to go to Amarillo, Texas, where she became employed by TWA. She loved traveling everywhere. Betty met Burton P. Greenhouse in Amarillo, Texas, while he was working for Wester Boot Co. He was jealous of mom’s travels and told her not to expect him to meet her at the airport upon her return from various trips. So, they married on December 29, 1952. TWA moved to Kansas City, and Betty and Burt did as well. They moved into Quality Hill Apartments in downtown Kansas City with their cocker spaniel, Taffy. They bought their first house at 9717 Howe Drive in Overland Park, when mom became pregnant with their daughter, Jo Ann and Jim was born 2 years later.

Betty and Burt opened the first Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio in 1965 downtown at 12th and Main. A second store opened in Lawrence, KS a year later. Betty spent 3 months training in Los Angeles with the Merle Norman Company. On opening day, fresh lei’s from Hawaii arrived for the celebration. Both stores closed by 1972 and Betty became the cosmetic department manager for Stix, Baer and Fuller. After Dad passed away in 1978, mom went back to TWA, and eventually retired from Met Life Insurance Company.

Her greatest joy later in life was gardening, flowers and attending water aerobics classes at the Matt Ross Community Center. She enjoyed going to Jim’s house and spending the afternoon with his dogs, Katie and Sunny. Betty was a terrific cook! We always had delicious Holiday meals and Sunday dinners. Mom also enjoyed talking to her sisters on Saturday mornings and keeping in touch with all family members.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Burton P. Greenhouse; parents, Dillard and Nannie Brewer; 4 brothers; 4 sisters and 2 nephews, Ralph and Garnett Jr.

She is survived by daughter, Jo Ann Greenhouse (Tom Sloan); son, James Greenhouse (Sharon Beeves); sister-in-law, Sharon Brewer; brother-in-law, Neil Davidson and 17 nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Betty will begin 9:00 AM, followed by her funeral service at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 14, 2022 at McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204. Her burial will immediately follow the service at Rose Hill Cemetery, 6900 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64131.

Flowers are lovely to send, but if you wish to leave a memorial donation in her memory, please send it to Great Plains SPCA, Attn: Development, 5428 Antioch Drive, Merriam, KS 66202.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleyhoge.com for the Greenhouse family.