Betty Roe

LaVerne Elizabeth “Betty” Roe was born to Leonard Duncan Norrie and Bernice Neva (Carpenter) Norrie on March 1, 1930 at Sabetha, Kansas. She passed away on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020 at Heritage Crossings Nursing Home in Geneva, Nebraska at the age of 90 years, 1 month, and 11 days. She was one of 4 children born in the family. Betty grew up in the Sabetha, Kansas area until the family moved to Blue Rapids, Kansas when she was 9 years old. As a 7th grader, the family moved to Linn, Kansas. During high school, she worked at Zita Beauty Shop, the Linn Drugstore, Peter’s Grocery, and Blaske Café. Betty graduated from Linn High School with the class of 1948. She then moved to Marysville, Kansas with her parents. She soon took a job for SW Bell Telephone Company for a year. On January 7, 1949, she married Leslie Otwell and moved to Palmer, Kansas, and to this union two children were born: James Alan and Douglas Gregory. While living in Palmer, Betty and Leslie owned and operated Otwell Truck Line and Betty learned to drive trucks and all aspects of owning the business. She was also a relief operator for the Palmer Telephone Company, and she ended up working for them for 20 years. Betty and Leslie were later divorced. In 1969, Betty met Wally Roe and they were married on April 10, 1970 in Geneva, Nebraska. She traveled with him and his construction work for 9 years from job site to job site. They made their permanent home in Geneva in 1980 where she took care of their home and garden. Betty enjoyed bowling, fishing, crocheting, sewing, embroidery and many handi-crafts. She also enjoyed Husker Football and Royals Baseball. She had a green thumb and could grow anything, and she was very proud of her flowers and garden. Each year she canned or froze enough vegetables to last through the entire year. She was a member of the United Methodist Church for over 50 years and a member of the Geneva VFW Auxiliary. Betty will be remembered for her friendly and caring demeanor. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Wally; her parents; son, Douglas Gregory; brothers Rex Norrie and Robert Norrie; and sister-in-laws Moline Gergen and Mary Norrie. She is survived by her son James Otwell and wife, Jana of Onaga, Kansas; Jerry Roe of Arizona and Cheri (Roe) DeLong of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; brother Ray Norrie of Stillwater, Oklahoma; 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, relatives, and other friends. A Funeral Service for Betty was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2020 at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva. Kim Dunker officiated the service. The recorded musical selections played during the service were “In The Garden” and “Amazing Grace.” Pallbearers for the service included Rodney Norrie, Corey Ellison, Shaun Farmer, and Mike Brower. A Graveside Service was held in the Geneva Public Cemetery following the Funeral Service. Farmer & Son Funeral Home was in care of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church in Geneva or the Geneva VFW Post 7102.

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Betty Roe

March 1, 1930 - April 12, 2020