LYONS — Mary Elizabeth “Bette” Kennedy, 93, died Aug. 14 at Sunflower Estates, Lyons. She was born Sept. 6, 1918 in Guthrie Okla. the daughter of Carl and Hazel Del (Smith Madden). She lived in Lyons since 1940 and is the former owner of Porter Abstract of Lyons.
She graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1935. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church; first lady president of the Lyons Chamber of Commerce; chamber ambassador; charter member of Lyons Town and Country Club and former board member; Rice County Arts Council; Worthwhile Club; Republican Women; and various bridge clubs.
She married Dr. E.R. Kennedy on Nov. 30, 1940. He died Feb. 18, 1978.
Survivors include: sons, David (Judy) Kennedy, Wichita, James (Margaret) Kennedy, Ellinwood, Mark (Kay) Kennedy, Lyons, Larry (Rita) Kennedy, Meriden; Doug Kennedy and Scott Roemelin, Dallas, Texas, Kent Kennedy, Lawrence; daughters, Mary Kay Henderson and husband Mike Reimer, Castro Valley, Calif., Ann Langley and husband Guy Carrethies, Redwood City, Calif.; brother, Bill Madden of Ellinwood; sister, Dorothy Davis, Wichita; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Martha Dane and brother Carl Madden.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the First Presbyterian Church, Lyons, with the Rev. Orie Ensz officiating. Burial will be at Lyons Municipal Cemetery. Visitation is from 2-7 p.m. on Friday at Birzer Funeral Home with family present from 5-7  p.m. Memorials may be made to the Rice. Co. Arts Council in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Birzer Funeral Homes*
214 West Ave. South
Lyons, KS 67439
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 15, 2012