Betty Slusser
Betty Jo-Ann (Knackstedt) Slusser was born July 22, 1925, to Fred and Lena (Gruner) Knackstedt. Betty lived most of her life in Marion and graduated from Marion High School in 1943.
She met the love of her life, Alden Slusser, outside the Marion post office. They were married Dec. 8, 1946, in Wichita. Their attendants were Ellen and Dale Boyd.
Betty and Alden were blessed with two children, Wallace Frederick and Pamela Jean. When Betty graduated from high school, she wrote that her life goals were to be a loving wife and a sweet mother. She accomplished both of those goals.
While Alden worked from sun-up to sundown in the oil fields, Betty ran the household. Betty loved music. She was a wonderful pianist and playing was calming to her. She played for the choir at Eastmoor United Methodist Church for many years. She was on the board for the church music program and she and Alden traveled all over the state to find a new organ for the church. If anyone was in need of an accompanist, Betty was always ready. She played for the bell choir, chancel choir, as well as any soloists around.
One time, the city of Marion put on a play and she was the pianist for that as well. Betty was even made an honorary member of the Forever Plaids. This was a group of young men, wearing plaid jackets, who performed around the country. Betty and Alden went with Pam and Harry to see them at Cabaret Old Town in Wichita and she was wearing a plaid jacket. They selected her out of the audience (because of her choice of clothing that night) and told her they wanted her to accompany their pianist. Much to their surprise, and the delight of the audience, Betty moved their pianist off the bench and proceeded to take over the show. After the show, they made her an honorary member stating that was the first time they had ever picked anyone out of the audience who could play so well.
Betty enjoyed ceramics and she and Pam made ceramics together until they had made everything there was to make. She even made three complete nativity sets for the family, which took over a year to make and paint. After that, Betty switched to china painting. She painted many beautiful plates, cups, saucers, and tiles and enjoyed giving them away so others could enjoy them as well.
She also loved quilting and cross-stitch. Betty was also an accomplished seamstress and made all of her daughter’s clothes.
Betty and Alden liked playing pinochle and canasta with their circle of friends. They took turns playing at everyone’s homes and providing snacks when it was their turn to host.
Betty was very active in the lives of her children. She was scout leader for both Wally and Pam, and she and Alden even served as chaperones on Wally’s senior trip. Betty enjoyed traveling, although she could be just as happy at home with friends and family.
After Alden retired, they traveled throughout the United States including Alaska, California, and the Ozarks. They traveled the Alaskan Highway for a month with Wayne and Eula Colle. They also drove to the northeast to see the fall foliage. They also enjoyed going to Branson twice a year.
One of their favorite trips was the one they took to Hawaii and Betty would often say she wished they could go back with her family because she thought they would love it. Betty and Alden also traveled every year to meet with his Army reunion group — each member took a turn hosting and she and Alden took the group several places in and around Wichita when it was their turn to host. She would tell wonderful stories when they returned home and the grandsons loved to hear her talk about their trips.
Every year, the first weekend of December, Betty and Alden went to Kansas City for their anniversary. They were joined by their children, spouses, and grandchildren and Betty loved having the family around. One year, they were presented with a poem that said the children were sending her and Alden on an Alaskan cruise for their 50th anniversary — and her family was coming with them. So, in July of the following year, Betty and Alden went on a weeklong cruise with daughter Pam, her husband Harry, son Wally, his wife Elle, and grandsons Micah and Jordan. The trip was one of Betty’s favorites because she was with her entire family.
Not only was Betty a loving wife and sweet mother, she was a doting grandmother and adoring great-grandmother. When the grandchildren would come to visit, she would leave their fingerprints on the window for a week just to remind her of their visit, which drove longtime friend and caregiver Emma Douglas wild.
She loved traveling to talent shows, ball games, and piano recitals of her grandchildren and was an enthusiastic fan no matter what they were doing. When the great-grandchildren came along, she loved giving and getting lots and a lot of hugs, which they were only too happy to provide. They adored their Great-Grandma Betty and visits to her were a joy to them and to her.
In the early years of their marriage, Betty helped care for Alden through several health crises including polio and heart problems. When Betty was diagnosed eight years ago with Alzheimer’s disease, the roles were reversed. At first the progression was slow, and then it began to take its toll. Alden took care of her for several years, but following a fall three years ago at Thanksgiving, her children moved her and Alden to Wichita to Meadowlark Adult Care facility.
The last few years, Betty was happiest being with Alden and listening to her favorite Frank Sinatra songs.
When she was called home Feb. 18, 2010, she was surrounded by her loving family, which is the way she would have wanted it.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Lena (Gruner) Knackstedt, and her brother, Eugene “Knocky” Knackstedt.
She is survived by Alden, her spouse of 63 years; her children, Wally and wife Elle Slusser of Topeka, and Pam and husband Harry Kassner of Wichita; grandsons Micah Slusser and fiancée Angie Walker of Topeka, Jordan and wife Rachel Slusser of Lawrence; and great-grandsons Nolan and Noah Slusser of Topeka.
Visitation will be 1 to 8 p. m. today with family greeting friends 4 to 6 p.m. at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, Marion, with the Rev. Michael Eurit presiding.
Interment will be in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial funds have been established with Eastmoor United Methodist Church Music Department and the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, 205 Elm St, Marion KS 66861.