OLMITZ — Betty Mae Axman, 89, died Feb. 29, 2016, at Clara Barton Hospital, in Hoisington. She was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Timken, the daughter of Frank and Agnes (Rudolph) Smolik. She graduated from Great Bend High School in 1945. On May 18, 1953, she married Jerome T. “Jack” Axman, in Timken. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2003.
A longtime resident of the Olmitz area, she was a mother and farmer’s wife first, but she also worked outside the home. At Cherry Village Nursing Home, she worked as a cook’s assistant. She later worked for Suburban Laundry in Hoisington, until it closed due to a fire. From there she went to work for the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse, again as a cook’s assistant.
She was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Olmitz, the Altar Society, and was a 50-year member of the Daughters of Isabella.
Survivors include five children, Lillian Palsmeier and husband Ted of Conway Springs, Barbara Boldt and husband Dick of Oakley, Paul Axman and wife Brenda of Hoisington, Joe Axman and wife Kathryn of Olmitz, and Rita Hickel and husband Thomas of Hoisington; two brothers, Richard Smolik of Timken, and Robert Smolik of Great Bend; 13 grandchildren, Chad Axman, Travis Boldt, Douglas Axman, Kira Ptacek, Greg Axman, John Palsmeier, Lisa Axman, Mark Palsmeier, Carl Hickel, Justin Axman, Reba Kohn, Jenifer Axman, and Tana Hickel; and six great-grandchildren, C.J. Muth, Nick Axman, Kaelynn Axman, Jillian Axman, E.J. Ptacek, and Charlee Yellowolf.
She was preceded in death by a son, Mike Axman; a daughter, Judy Axman; a brother, Matthew Smolik; and a grandson, Joseph Jerome Axman.
Vigil service with Altar Society Rosary will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Olmitz, celebrated by Father Anselm Eke, and concelebrated by Father Ultan Murphy and Father Charles Mazouch. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Daughters of Isabella or St. Ann’s Catholic Church Window Restoration in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home*
P.O. Box 146; 415 N. Main
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 2, 2016