Betty Barnes

Betty (Kristenson) Barnes, 95, of Ottawa, KS died Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at Advent Health Hospital in Ottawa, Kansas.

She was born February 1, 1929 in Pomona, Kansas the daughter of Wilbur Harry and Lucille (Hartpence) Kristenson.  She graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1947. 

On June 29, 1948, Betty was united in marriage to Donald Lee Barnes at North Baptist Church in Ottawa, Kansas. 

Betty was first and most importantly a home-maker, but she also worked a few years for Hallmark in the packaging department.

Betty was known as a wonderful cook.  Meals were at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. every day.  Her bologna sandwiches were gourmet, along with chicken and noodles, gravy made with a secret potato water, and dessert including pie crusts. For potlucks, she was requested to make pie, red velvet cake, and German chocolate cake.  She would also can various foods.  Betty enjoyed playing BINGO, playing cards, and square dancing with her husband and friends. She also enjoyed occasional fishing in her younger years and she was quite the athlete when she was in high school, playing softball and basketball. She loved mowing on the riding mower out in the “weed patch” or their small pasture during the summer. She enjoyed keeping a garden of flowers and some vegetables as well. Grandma Betty was a faithful and enthusiastic fan of all of her grandkids’ and great-grandkids’ activities and sporting events! She was known as ornery and liked to play tricks. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Lucille Kristenson; her husband, Donald Barnes; a son, Larry Barnes; a brother, Wilbur Kristenson, Jr.; and a sister, Dorothy Nadine Nitcher.

She is survived by a daughter, Linda Ferris and her husband, Jim, of Ottawa, KS; two grandsons, Terry James Ferris and his wife, Beverly, of Edwardsville, KS and Michael Lee Ferris of Kansas City, KS; a granddaughter, Amy Alfrey and her husband, John, of Junction City, KS; a daughter-in-law, Anne Barnes of Ottawa, KS; eight great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be 2:30 p.m., Monday April 8, 2024 at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, Ottawa, KS.  To celebrate Betty’s life, a visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 325 S Hickory St, Ottawa, KS 66067.  Memorial contributions may be made to the V.F.W. Post 5901 Ladies' Auxillary and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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