Roll Call Tribute

Betty Lou Elder 

September 13, 1953 - February 7, 2023 

On February 7, 2023, Betty Lou Elder, PhD., RN, 69, beloved Daughter, Sister, and Aunt peacefully passed away after a short stay at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, KS. Betty entered this world on September 13, 1953, born to Orin W. Elder and Mary Lou (Dick) Elder in Red Cloud, Nebraska. Although preceded in death by her father, Betty enjoyed sharing the same birthday with her father. Also preceding her in death was her brother, William (Bill) Elder and nephew Hayden Elder.

Betty is survived by her mother, Mary Lou Elder, her sister Carol Morris (Robert) of Hastings, Nebraska, and loving brother Robert Elder (Lori), Olathe, Kansas and her beloved Nieces, Torri Morris Colboch, Kim Seward and Nephews Jacob Elder, Garrett Elder and John Elder.

Betty graduated from Smith Center High School, Smith Center, KS, class of 1971. After graduating from high school she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University and Wichita State University. Betty pursued many degrees over her lifetime including two PhD’s, one in Genetics from Texas A&M University and a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction-Science Education from the University of Nebraska.

Betty enjoyed a long and illustrious teaching career beginning in 1974 as a 2nd grade teacher in Lakin, KS, and in 1976 as a 1st grade teacher in Beloit, KS. As an adventure she left Kansas to take a position as a park ranger in Yellowstone National Park and even was part of the forest fire team. She returned to the area and began her post-secondary teaching career at Fort Hays State University and at Texas A&M University. She was an instructor at multiple colleges, Central Community College in Grand Island, NE, Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS and Bryan School of Nursing in Lincoln, NE. She joined Wichita State University teaching multiple courses for many years in the Nursing Department where she completed her teaching career retiring as an Associate Professor of Nursing in 2019.

Betty’s career was important to her, however her family was more important. She shared many wonderful occasions with nieces and nephews including traveling, camping, boating and tubing. She treated them all as if they were her own children. After moving to Topeka with her mother and father, she became a fulltime caregiver to both of her parents. In Topeka she received and cherished the love, support, and companionship from her niece, Torri.