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Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Michaelis 1944-2018
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Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Michaelis 1944-2018

GALATIA — Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Michaelis, 73, died August 21, 2018, at Clara Barton Hospital, Hoisington.  She was born December 20, 1944, in Hoisington, the daughter of Vernon Clifford and Angelene Rose (Marcum) Sohm.

On March 23, 1963, she married Gerald D. Michaelis, in Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hoisington, Kansas.

A longtime resident of the rural Galatia area, Betty had worked for the Russell Inn in laundry and housekeeping, but mostly a homemaker who loved cooking and baking for her family.

Betty was a member of the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Milberger, where she had taught Sunday school, Bible school and was a member of the Women of the ELCA.  An avid football fan, Betty loved her Chiefs but would often cheer for the underdog.  She was also a fan of drag racing.  An accomplished seamstress she enjoyed sewing for her girls and family, especially costumes for Halloween.

Survivors include; her husband of 55 years, Gerald D. Michaelis; daughters, Tonya Michaelis Groff and husband Robert of Susank, Tina Crump and husband Hank of Parker, CO; brothers, Lee Sohm and wife Ida of Kansas City, MO, Clifford Sohm and wife Lila of Great Bend, John Sohm and wife Cindy of Otis; sisters, Verna Schiller and husband Joseph of Odin, Nancy Murray and husband Gary of Hoisington, and Faith Schloemer and husband Mark of Bison; an uncle, Lowell Sohm of Otis; and two grandchildren, Charleigh and Phoebe Crump.

She was preceded in death by her parents, infant son, Kevin Michaelis, and her twin brother, Robert Dean Sohm.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, August 24, 2018, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Reverend Roger Dennis presiding.  Burial will follow in Michaelis Cemetery, rural Russell County. Friends may call 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.  


Funeral arrangements provided by

Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home

PO Box 146

Hoisington, KS 67544

The Great Bend (Kans.) Tribune, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018