Betty Jo Hunt, 87, passed away on February 16, 2020, at Wesley Towers, Hutchinson. The oldest daughter of Emily (Griffee) and Ralston Taylor, she was born on December 18, 1932, in Sterling.
She was raised on a farm outside of Lyons and graduated from Lyons High School. In 1954, Betty married Don Hunt and the couple moved to Hutchinson in 1958. She worked at Hutchinson Community College for seventeen years.
Betty and Don raised three children, Terry, Sue, and Debbie. Many of their family memories revolve around Betty’s love of all holidays, as well as her enthusiasm for diving into new projects. Never an idle moment, Betty’s life was filled with baking, pickling, making jams and jellies, knitting, macramé, tennis, bridge, and endless crafts with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren that followed. From childhood on, she always had a book nearby, and her love of reading was passed on to the generations that followed.
Betty’s hospitality led to lifelong friendships with neighbors, co-workers, bridge groups, and the Birthday Club. Her attachment to Nederland, Colorado, rooted in childhood visits to the family cabin there, led to eighteen glorious years of retirement life in Nederland. Hikes and wildflowers were a part of every visit to their mountain home. In 2008, Betty and Don returned to Hutchinson, where they finished out their years with family and friends.
She is survived by: son, Terry Hunt (Renee, Fayetteville, Arkansas; daughters, Sue Carlton (Glenn) and Debbie Hunt (Bob Badgett, both of Hutchinson; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Beverly Milam; and four nieces.
Betty was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Don Hunt; sister, Peggy Taylor; and brother, Jerry Taylor.
Cremation has taken place.
Celebration of Life will be 3 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2020, at Wesley Towers Evan’s Chapel, 700 Monterey Place, Hutchinson. A private family burial will take place prior to the service. Friends may sign book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Wesley Towers or Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.