Betty Jan (Wagner) Todd
Betty Jane (Wagner) Todd was born Aug. 24, 1936, to Ernest J. and Bertha (Kaiser)Wagner in Imperial, Nebraska. She was the seventh of eight children. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Feb. 5, 2022, from her residence in Olathe, Kansas.
Betty grew up on the family farm a few miles from Imperial. She attended elementary school at District 21 east of Imperial on Highway 6 and graduated from Chase County High School with the class of 1954. Growing up Betty helped with household and farm chores. She was involved with church activities and enjoyed music, especially singing around the piano at home with her father and siblings.
After graduation, Betty worked at the Red and White grocery store in Imperial, as did her husband-to-be, Jack Todd. On Jan. 16, 1955, Betty and Jack were married, and continued to reside and work in Imperial for a number of years. Daughters, Vicki, Kristi, Linda, and Lisa were born to the couple during this time.
The family moved to Kearney, in 1968, so Jack could attend college and attain his teaching degree. Betty deserved a lot of credit for all of her efforts during those years. She typed papers for Jack, worked various jobs to help support the family, and took care of the household tasks and the needs of four girls so he could complete his four-year degree in three years.
Jack taught school and coached in Madrid and Deer Trail, Colorado, and later moved to Grant, to sell insurance. During that time, Betty worked at various jobs including nurse’s aide, secretary, school cook and hospital insurance clerk.
Betty was very talented and she was a perfectionist. She was an excellent pianist and enjoyed playing classical, popular, and hymn music at home. She also played piano and organ for church. She refinished and reupholstered furniture, gardened, wallpapered, and painted.
She knitted, crocheted, and sewed. Betty was very creative and resourceful. She,along with her sisters, made their own patterns for dresses and other clothes. She sewed many projects for her girls including school clothes, doll clothes, and even prom and wedding dresses.
Betty loved her family dearly. She never hesitated to make sacrifices for her husband or children. Grandchildren were also greatly loved by her. When they came to spend time, she would plan fun activities and special outings with them. She loved making special things for them and with them, but especially made an effort to spend time with them.
After Jack had a serious health scare in August of 2015, Betty faithfully stayed at the hospital with him for a full month. She continued to care for him at home for three and a half years until his passing in March of 2019.
Jack’s passing spurred an onset of dementia that necessitated moving Betty from her home in Grant. She was moved to the Kansas City area to be close to daughters there. She was placed in Comfort Care Homes where she received excellent care and love for nearly two and a half years.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Bertha Wagner; her husband Jack Todd; brother Norman (Dorothy) Wagner; sisters Dorothy (Don) Hays, Evelyn (Don) Reed, Norma Hopkins; brother-in-law Ron Meininger; and infant great-granddaughter Sadie Lothrop.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Vicki (Jerry) Palser, Kristi (Larry) Regier, Linda (Jonnie) Brumage, Lisa (Mike) Buchanan; 19 grandchildren, Jaci (Layne), Elijah, Ashleigh, Kylie (Johnathan), Karissa (Alex), Alisha, Austin, Lindsay (Christian), Lezlie (Tyler), Lacey (Chris), Carson (Mylinda), Michaela, Jordan, Levi (Kiahla), Benjamin (Jill) Luke, Suzanna, Rebekah, and David; 23 great-grandchildren, Jozi, Jazlyn, ShaeLynne, Makaylee Drew, Arlo, Ayla, Wyatt, Wesley, Brogan, Mason, Mia, Maximus, Leyla, Blake, Lillian, Emmitt, Tad, Samuel, Michael, Jesse, Beau, Josiah, and Ezra; brother Arthur (Eleanor) Wagner; sisters Agnes (Bill) McCurry, and Laurine Meininger; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2,2022, at East Side Church, 19901 East 78 Highway, Independence, MO 64057. Interment of Cremains will be at a later date.
Turning Point Ministries (Dr. David Jeremiah) has been selected for a memorial to honor Betty.
The family would enjoy hearing any stories or memories you have of Betty. If you have any you would like to share, please send them to: Kristi Regier, 1901 N. Lake City Valley Rd, Buckner, MO, 64016, or email to kristiregier5@gmail.com.