Betty Jean Skidmore, 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 15, 2023, at Homestead Assisted Living in Manhattan, KS. She had been a resident of Homestead for 11 years.
Betty was born on September 27, 1929, in Arma, KS to James and Elise Ritter. She graduated from Arcadia High School and worked for several years in a large furniture store and at a local bank.
On June 1, 1946, she married Charles P. Skidmore. He preceded her in death on August 27, 2002. She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kacie Rae Skidmore, and two sisters, Bonnie Burns and Ruth Kraft and two brothers, Norman Ritter and Charles Ritter.
Betty moved to Manhattan, KS in 1962 where she and Charles both accepted jobs at Kansas State University. She worked for the university for 27 years, retiring in 1989. In 1990, she founded the KSU Classified Retirees organization and served on the benefits committee for many years. She was an active member of First Baptist Church of Manhattan. Through the years, Betty was very active in the community. She joined the LDT Ballroom Dance Club with Charles. Betty and Charles bought a boat and spent much of their free time at the new Tuttle Creek Lake waterskiing with their children. This quickly became the favorite family activity. She also held memberships in Beta Sigma Phi, VFW Auxiliary, American Business Women, Eastern Star, and Riley County Senior Center. Betty’s greatest joy came from growing, sharing and tending to all the daylily’s she collected through the Manhattan Daylily Club.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Ladonna Piper (Mike Day), St. George, KS, son Alan Skidmore (Gianetta), Manhattan, KS, four grandchildren, Billie Piper, St. George, KS, Bobbie Congrove, Overland Park, KS, Brandi Hancock, Kansas City, MO and Colt Skidmore, Durango, CO, three great grandchildren, Kohen Schoshke, Piper Hancock and Ayker Hancock, two sisters, Pam Osgood, Lee’s Summit, MO, and Rhonda Vance, Midland, MI.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 1:00 until 2:30p.m. Friday March 21, 2023, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan. Following the visitation, a procession will be formed to the cemetery. Graveside services will be held at 3:00p.m. Friday March 31, 2023, at the Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan, with Pastor Melanie Nord officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manhattan Crisis Center, or a charity of choice benefiting the local community Betty loved so much. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.