Betty Jo Michael

Betty Jo Michael

Betty Jo Michael, 91, Topeka, died Tuesday, April 29, 2014. She was born January 6, 1923, in Topeka, to Ella Mae (Sieber) and Frank William Hess.

Betty graduated from Seaman High School in 1941. She worked at Josten's American Yearbook for twenty years before retiring.

She played for the Ed Marling's Chesney Women's Softball team. She was a member Northland Christian Church. Betty volunteered for Stormont-Vail NICU, rocking newborn babies. She delivered Meals-On-Wheels.

Betty was married to Harold A. Michael in a triple wedding on January 1, 1942. The three grooms – Harold, Robert Hess, and Bud Head – were preparing to leave for military service in World War II. Harold preceded her in death on May 8, 1988. She was also preceded in death by two sisters: Francis "Frannie" Whitehead and Faye Stewart; and two brothers: Robert Hess and Frank "Pete" Hess, Jr. and great-granddaughter Shawndy Hogue.

Surviving are a sister: Bonnie Tice; daughter: Sandy Darnall of Topeka; sons: Harold Joe (Deidre) and Tom (Jo) Michael all of Silver Lake; six grandchildren: Deborah "Debbie" Harman, Shelly Lenczewski, Paul Lenczewski, Megan Walters, Garrett Michael, and Jenna Fox; nine great-grandchildren: Brittany Wessels, Connor Harman, Jordan Lenzcewski, Randy Hogue, Kaylee Hogue, Andrew Hogue, Payton Michael, Preston Michael, and Paxton Michael; and two great-great-grandchildren: Ali Hogue and Lily Hogue.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 2, 2014, at Northland Christian Church, 3102 NW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, Kansas. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Gardens, 820 SW Auburn Road, Topeka, Kansas.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, Thursday, at Northland Christian Church, 3102 NW Topeka Blvd.

Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Presbyterian Manor, 4712 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66606.