Betty Marie Sackman, 99, of Topeka passed away on February 8, 2023. She was born to Charles and Lola Helm Yoakum on July 28, 1923 at Polo, Missouri, the fourth youngest of eleven children, nine of whom survived childhood.
She grew up in the Polo area and graduated from Kingston High School. She met Gaylen Sackman from Cameron, Missouri, at a dance. They were married on December 25, 1943.
She and Gaylen owned a roadside cafe along old U.S. 36 at Hamilton, Missouri, until Gaylen took a job at Goodyear in Topeka, where one of their first experiences as new residents was the flood of 1951. About the time they bought their first home, she took a job at Merchants National Bank, working several years in the proof department. With the arrival of their second child, she began her primary career of homemaker, taking care of her four boys. She worked seasonally in enrollment at Washburn University for 12 years. Raising the boys, Betty had a long-standing date night with Gaylen on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. She and Gaylen had a close circle of friends from Goodyear. Betty and Gaylen enjoyed their retirement years traveling the county in their motor home and visiting family. Throughout her life in Topeka, she enjoyed watching and listening to the Kansas City Royals.
Survivors include: sons Dwayne Sackman (Karen) of Normal, IL; Dennis Sackman (Debbie) of Leesburg, VA; and Bruce Sackman (Joni) of Topeka; grandchildren David Sackman (Sara) of Cincinnati, OH; Katie Pennington (Tim) of Carlock, IL; Jordan Imhof (Curtis) and Jenna Sackman, both of Topeka and step-granddaughter Julia Rhinehart of Seattle, WA. Great grandchildren are Haley and Gretchen Sackman; Braden and Addison Welter; Kobe, Parker, and Noah Imhof; and step-great grandchildren Morgan Eades and Ryley Pennington. Also surviving is Larry’s companion Howard Reife of Shawnee, KS.
Her beloved husband Gaylen and son Larry preceded her in death in 2015 and 2018, respectively. She was the last of all eleven of the Yoakum children.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Mount Hope Cemetery & Funeral Chapel, 4700 SW 17th, Topeka. Interment will follow at Mount Hope. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions be made to Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka Ks 66606. Services will be livestreamed here during the scheduled time.
Monday, February 20, 2023
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
Mt. Hope Cemetery/Mausoleum
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