Betty Strain

Betty Strain, age 86, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2019, at St. Luke’s South, Overland Park, Kansas.

Betty Elizabeth (Honn) Strain, the loving mother of Diann (Cox) Hough of Paola, Leann (Strain) Woleslagel of Hutchinson, and Daryl Strain of Olathe, gained her wings surrounded by her family in St. Luke's ICU after a short illness. A week earlier, she was driving to dances, playing ball, riding scooters, and following the activities of her grandchildren Alexandra and Reid Johnson, Heather, Karl, and Von Woleslagel, and Ellie Strain, embracing every moment with them, and within the last three years, becoming Great Nana to Ethan, Elena, Selina.

Betty, the oldest child of Alta (Dirksen) and Marion “Dutch” Honn, grew up in a large, close family with siblings Sonny, Shirley(Pierce), Ronnie, Gary, and many nieces and nephews. She stayed active bowling, camping, sailing, shopping, and dancing. Living with her kids allowed her to be actively involved in their activities, travels, and accomplishments. She enjoyed precious family time going to church with Diann and John, as well as traveling with Leann and Mark, sailing with Daryl, and proudly watching as Daryl became a Fire Captain with Julie and stepchildren Emily, Molly, and Luke.

Betty worked as a telephone operator while married to Larry Cox. After divorcing, she was a sheriff’s dispatcher, renting a house adjacent to her future in-laws where she met the love of her life, Wilfred Strain. While married to Wilfred, she collected rocks to remember everywhere they camped, sailed, or traveled until his passing in 1984.

Being a gifted artist, she made oil paintings, sculptures, dough art, signs, and decorated gourds/potatoes. She bought her first oil paint set after winning $15 in a high school contest. She said “It all comes from above, and when I’m in the right mood, it just comes to me!” She completed her projects mostly for pure joy, but exhibited her art at the library, Square Fair, and the Kansas State Fair winning numerous 1st place awards.

Her dancing shoes didn't gather any dust dancing weekly in Salina, Hutchinson, or Cadmus. Her sense of wonder and enthusiasm will be dearly missed. She will forever be young; we hope she wears the soles off her dancing shoes in Heaven.

Funeral services to celebrate Betty's life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 30, 2019, at First Christian Church, Garnett, with burial to follow in the Garnett Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to Garnett Public Library or to Cadmus Grange.

You may send your condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com