COLBY — Betty Elaine Fitzsimmons Sloan died peacefully at her home in Colby on Sept. 24. She was born April 18, 1924 to Ethyl Lene (Logan) and Everett Wallace Elmore in Rozel, Kansas. Betty attended Lewis Rural School and graduated in 1942. College was interrupted by World War II, and after attending KU, and Hutchinson Junior College, she was granted a Bachelor in Speech and English from Kansas State University in 1947. Though she was a homemaker for most of her life, education was important to Betty, and she was hired as the first Speech and Drama instructor at Colby Community College. She served several terms on the local school board, and later worked at the H.F. Davis Library on the CCC campus. In appreciation of her service and support to the students of Colby Community College, she and Jack were presented with Honorary Associate in Arts Degrees in 1998.

On May 20, 1944, she married John Warren (Jack) Fitzsimmons. They moved to Colby in 1952 where Jack owned and operated an automobile agency Jack Fitzsimmons Motors for many years. He preceded her in death on Oct. 14, 1999. Betty was married to Harlan Sloan on Sept. 20, 2003. He preceded her in death on July 22, 2004. She was very active in her church and community.

She was a member and past president of PEO Chapter CE; member and past Elder of the First Presbyterian Church; member of AAUW, and an avid card player. Her family and her friends were priorities in life.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brother, Everett W. Elmore, Jr., brother, Keith E. Elmore, and her husbands, Jack and Harlan. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Freda Helwig, Macksville; and her three daughters, Dee Holman, Great Bend; Jill Fitzsimmons, Great Bend; and Jackie Wingerd and husband, Bruce, Clay Center; five grandchildren, Ben Steinbauer, Austin, Texas; Emily Steinbauer, Austin, Texas; Macdaniel Holmon and wife, Andrea, Great Bend; Westen McNeeley, Lawrence; and Sophie McNeeley, Gunnison, Colo.; and one great-granddaughter, Jade Holmon, of Great Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 28 at the First Presbyterian Church, Colby, with Rev. Carol Rahn, Colby, officiating. Visitation at Harrison Chapel, Colby, will be Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Burial will be in the Farmington Cemetery, Macksville, at 4 p.m. on Sept. 28. Memorials may be made to H F Davis Library, First Presbyterian Church or Hospice Services and may be left at Harrison Chapel, Colby.

Harrison Chapel*