Betty Jane (Johnson) Bell, 93, of Odessa, died November 16, 2021 at the New Haven Nursing Home.
She was born August 13, 1928, in rural Higginsville, the sixth child in a family of twelve children, born to August “Gus” and Goldie (Whitmeyer) Johnson.
She married young to become a farmer’s wife, having 3 children, doing house chores as well as taking care of cows, chickens, a garden, fixing meals and being part owner of Western Missouri Trailer Sales. She advanced to being a great farmer on her own in 1998.
She spent many years of her life on a rural farm in Odessa. She moved to Higginsville in 2013 and back to Odessa, to New Haven Living Center, in 2019. She was a member of the Odessa Baptist Church.
Betty is survived by:
her 3 children and their families
11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren
2 sisters and their families: Jennie Lorene & Don Himes of Warr Acres, OK
Marian Need, of Higginsville
2 brothers and their families: Richard & Barb Johnson of Higginsville
Lawrence “Buck” & Carol Johnson of Higginsville
Betty has been preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, 7 siblings and in-laws.
Betty loved farming so much that she has bequeathed a scholarship to the Missouri State Fair Youth in Agriculture Scholarship Fund.
Betty wished in lieu of flowers, you would make a contribution in her memory to the charity of your choice
Calling hours will be Friday, November 19th from 5:30-6:30 pm at Kaiser ~Wiegers Funeral Home in Higginsville
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 20th at 10:30 am at the funeral home.
Private interment will take place at the Higginsville City Cemetery
Kaiser-Wiegers Funeral Home
