Betty Lou Rodie was born February 14, 1929, on the family farm to Cleo and Louise (Buchholz) Nowlin. She was raised on the farm until the family moved to town. When she was 22 years old, she married Chester (Chet) Klitzke, of Ransom, KS. Two children resulted from the marriage. Louella Klitzke and Lila Kay Klitzke. The couple divorced in 1954.
In 1955 she married Dale Allen Thomas of Dighton, KS. The couple had 5 children. Mark Allen Thomas, who passed away in infancy at 6 months old; son, Kenneth Thomas; daughter, Linda Thomas; son, Richard Thomas; and daughter, Rita Hansen. The couple moved around a lot and settled in Indianola, NE where Betty lost her husband, Dale Thomas, in 1987.
In 1999, Betty married Robert (Bob) Rodie. No children were brought into this marriage. Bob passed away in 2004.
Betty was preceded in death by her; children who died in infancy, Mark Thomas and Lila Kay Klitzke; parents, Cleo and Louise Nowlin; brother, Robert Nowlin; sister, Vera McQueen; and brother, Charlie Nowlin.
Betty is survived by her; brother, David Nowlin, of WaKeeney, KS; children, Louella (John) Slater, of Amarillo, TX, Kenneth (Gail) Thomas, of Tampa, FL, Linda Thomas, of Wauneta, NE, Richard (Penny) Thomas, of Indianola, NE, and Rita (Craig) Hansen, of Oberlin, KS, 13 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Betty loved fishing, sewing, family time, playing Bingo, and traveling when she could.
Graveside services will be held at WaKeeney City Cemetery in WaKeeney, KS, on June 7 at 2:00 p.m. And a Celebration of life to follow at the Western Coop Electric in WaKeeney, KS.