Betty J. Nickols passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at Citizens
Medical Center in Colby, KS, at the age of 91. She was born October 28,
1930, in Rexford, KS to Walter Leroy Keefer & Nellie Lois (Wilcox)
Keefer.
Betty was born and raised in Rexford, where she attended Rexford
Consolidated Schools through her freshman year and transferred to
Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, KS, to graduate there in 1948.
She took "normal training" in H.S. to prepare her to further her
education at Fort Hays State University (formerly known as Fort Hays
Teacher College) earning her teacher certification.
On March 13, 1949, Betty was united in marriage to Joel T. Nickols
at the home of Betty’s parents on the farm just outside Rexford. A
daughter, Debbie and son, Tom were born to their union. They later took a
foster daughter, Renee, who quickly became part of the family.
Betty taught school for two years before her children were born and
went back to that profession periodically through her life when there
was a need. At the age of 72 she taught her last full-time year in the
Golden Plains music department.
She also worked many years with Pioneer Girls Clubs where she
traveled first as Regional Representative and later, 11½ states as South
Central Area Director. Her job was to help churches begin the girls’
club programs and to conduct ladies training seminars across those
states as well as supervise camping programs in CO, MO, AZ & TX. She
directed two of those camps in MO & CO, building many lifetime
friendships in the process.
During this time, Betty & husband, Joel, purchased the big red
barn on Rexford Main Street for her to use as an office and fun place
for family gatherings. They were soon approached about using the
building as a Senior Citizen Center, and it became a dual-purpose
facility. Seniors In Action, Inc. with Betty as Director, became the
third Center in Thomas County to be partially funded by mill levy. One
of the first groups to be formed within this organization was the Red
Barn Gang with Betty at the piano, and this popular kitchen band
continued to travel and entertain until her health no longer permitted.
In 1983, Betty became part of the founding board of Shepherd’s
Staff, with headquarters in her hometown of Rexford. She served with
them as Executive Director until March of 2004 when she left them to
form Second Chance @ Life. This is where she served until her death in
the ministry of Christian counsel & encouragement to a wide circle
of hurting people.
Betty was a member of Rexford Community Church and served in many
capacities there through the years. Her interests centered around her
family, her church, her music, and her many friends.
Survivors include a brother Bob Keefer and wife, Opal, of Colorado
Springs, CO; her children Debbie, of Budd Lake, NJ; Tom & wife,
Vicki, of Colby, KS; Foster daughter Renee & husband, Peter, of
Palisade, CO; Grandchildren: Aubrey (Nickols) Hodges and husband, Brian,
of Rexford, KS; Joey Nickols and wife, Jill, of Colby, KS; Tahverle
Carroll and husband, Logan, of Denver, CO; Great- granddaughter, Ainsley
Dawn, of Colby, Great-grandson, Landon Thomas of Colby,
Great-granddaughter, Blakely, and great grandson, Rip, of Denver;
nieces: Daria (Wilson) McClung, Anne (Monte) Antisdale, and Cynthia
(Butch) Eversole– and a host of friends whom she loved. Betty was
preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Joel and infant
Great-granddaughter Addison Dawn Nickols.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the
United Methodist Church of Colby at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be
Monday, June 27, 2022 at the church from 5:00-7:00 PM. Burial in
Rexford Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Betty Nickols Memorial Fund. Condolence can be left at www.paulsfh.com.