Betty L. Ryan, 88, departed this life on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, surrounded by family after struggling with illness. She was born on a farm north of Hoxie on Oct. 21, 1934, in Sheridan County, the daughter of Obie Alton and Florence Bell Long Martin.
Betty was the middle child and praised her mother for making a nice, loving home for her and her older brother and younger sister. Her grandparents, whom she loved deeply, lived close to the family farm. At age 12, her father was injured, which required her to start working with her mother hanging wallpaper. While she was in high school, she continued to work at local cafes.
Through a cousin of hers, she met Carrol “Andy” Anderson of Penokee. They fell in love and were married on July 22, 1950, by a Methodist preacher where she went to Sunday school as a child. They moved to Colby, and four daughters were born to them—Dana, Delinda, Debbie and Denise. She enjoyed nothing more than making a good home for her family. In 1962, the family moved to Scott City, a place she called home. In 1965, she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior and was baptized. She committed her entire life to serving the Lord and became active in the church throughout those years. She loved singing, teaching, serving on the church board and being a hostess to many.
In 1977, she found herself single and in a working world. During that time, she met Eugene Ryan and they were married on Feb. 17, 1984, in Scott City. This year they celebrated 39 years of marriage. She worked at the Security State Bank in Scott City for 23 years and retired in 1999.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church and a past member of the Church of the Nazarene both of Scott City.
Survivors include her husband - Eugene P. Ryan of Scott City; three daughters - Dana & Steve Edwards of Scott City, Debbie Kirk of Enid, Okla., Denise and Steve Wishon of Lawrence; one son-in-law - Max Edwards of Scott City; one sister - Bea Rasmussen of South Charleston, W.V.; one half sister - Esther and James Armknecht of Dighton; nine grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; three step-children - Dave and Jeanie Ryan, Debbie and Jon Bratt, Melody and Melvin Rogers, 25 step-grandchildren and many step-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter - Delinda Edwards; one brother - Bob Martin; one sister - Mary Ann Martin; one son-in-law - Don Kirk; one step-son - Mike Ryan; one step-daughter - Linda Morris; one step-son-in-law - Larry Morris; and one step-granddaughter - Heidi Morris.
The funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be written to the Hopes Closet in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, KS 67871.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home, 401 S. Washington St., Scott City, Kansas.
The interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City.