Betty Jeane Anderson, age 100, 10 months and 3 days, passed away Friday, August 7, 2026, at Stanton County Long Term Care Unit, Johnson, Kansas. She was born October 4, 1925, near Haviland, in rural Kiowa County, Kansas, the daughter of Ralph Ginter and Mabel Dorothy (Hague) Long.
She, along with her parents and sister Katherine, moved to rural Stanton County in 1930, in the middle of a blizzard. She attended Big Bow Grade School and graduated from Johnson High School in 1943, the last surviving member of that class. On April 8, 1944, Betty married the love of her life, A.C. Anderson, in the Pilgrim Holiness Church in Big Bow, Kansas. They shared 73 years of marriage before A.C.’s passing in 2017.
A true farm wife, Betty was the heart of the operation. She served as bookkeeper for the family farm, drove trucks during harvest, tractors and helped with irrigation. She lovingly prepared countless meals for those working long days in the fields. She was never afraid of hard work. She also earned her Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and proudly drove a school bus for the Big Bow School District. Betty was an active 4-H leader, served on the Extension Council Board, and, alongside Vila Ruth, helped establish the Big Bow 4-H program, creating opportunities that benefited local youth for years to come. She was also a devoted member of the Johnson Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron in 1965.
When farm life slowed, Betty and A.C. embraced a new adventure together. They discovered a love for traveling in their RV, and for nearly 10 years it became their only home as they explored the country. Together they visited every state except Alaska, enjoying the beauty and diversity of America and Canada.
She is survived by her daughters, Vicky Ellis and husband Doc of Richfield, Kansas, and Gayla Gaines and husband Bill of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Lenoard Willson and Julia Traster-Rowe of Ulysses, Kansas, the son she never had, yet treasured as family in every way that mattered. Three grandchildren, Darrel (Kyra) Ellis of Meade, Kansas, Annette Ellis of Richfield, Kansas, and Trevor (Pam) Gum of Pittsburg, Kansas; eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Claude Long of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Keith Long and wife Kathy of Sugar Hill, Georgia; and many nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Mabel Long; husband, A.C. (2017); daughter, Marsha Anderson (2004); and sisters, Katherine Julian and Darlene Cate.
Memorial Service will be Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Garnand Funeral Home Chapel, Johnson, Kansas, with Jonathan Emerson officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at Stanton County Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Stanton County Scholarship Fund or Donor’s Choice in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, KS 67855. Condolences may be posted at www.garnandfuneralhomes.com.
