Betty Allen
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A memorial visitation for Betty Jane Sackmann Allen, 94, Lawrence will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. She died April 27, 2013 at Pioneer Ridge Rapid Recovery.
She was born November 7, 1918 in Oklahoma City, OK the daughter of Harry C. and Jane (Rowntree) Sackmann.
Betty graduated from Westport High School in Kansas City. She worked as a legal secretary for a number of years in Lawrence. She was a member of the Minervian Club.
Betty painted watercolor landscapes, braided rugs, wove rugs and hangings, was a great cook and baker, a seamstress and “the hardest-working woman” her husband ever knew.
She married George V. Allen on June 5, 1943 in Kansas City, Missouri. They celebrated 64 years of marriage before he died on September 5, 2007.
She is survived by two daughters, Jane Vesper, Oklahoma City, OK; Deborah Nelson; two sons, Stephen C., and his wife, Jane Getto, Jeffrey N., and his wife, Kirsten ”Missy” all of Lawrence, KS; seven grandchildren, Jenny and Chad Vesper, Jesse and Jared Nelson, Weston, Nicholas and Christopher Allen and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Barbara Bauer and Gloria Caines.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in her name to Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Aunt Betty was a rare combination of pioneer and Renaissance woman. Through thick and thin, she and my mom weathered an early nomadic life during the Depression, forming a deep and abiding bond with each other. Aunt Betty could and did make everything from rugs to paper. She was a gifted seamstress, weaver, painter, and cook. A remarkable woman.
i am so sorry to hear the loss of betty.. i can remember so many times in minervian club and birthdays and my mother and father. charles and elaine taylor .. what a wonderful woman who lived a wonderful life.. may we all learn from her experiences in life ..
I have so many wonderful memories of Betty and the Allen family. One of her paintings hangs in my home reminding me of her strength and the wonderful friendship she enjoyed with my mother. My prayers are with you all.
Jeff & Family, Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Jen, Brad & Hank
Jeff & Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother as mother’s are so very special. My heart goes out to you all. May God give you strength and comfort at this time.
What a joy your Mother was to care for, I will never forget how she liked Blueberries in her oatmeal every morning for breakfast. Thank you for letting me care for her. My thoughts and prayer are with all of you.
Many sympathies to the family of Betty , so sorry for your loss. May the lord strengthen you all in this time. And Debbie Iam truely sadden that you have lost so much in the last year, With Tom and now mom. My heart is for you and if you need anything done please call me. Betty was a grat woman and such a great landlord. You too Debbie. My prayers are their for you.
Many sympathies to the family of Betty , so sorry for your loss. May the lord strengthen you all in this time. And Debbie Iam truely sadden that you have lost so much in the last year, With Tom and now mom. My heart is for you and if you need anything done please call me. Betty was a grat woman and such a great landlord. You too Debbie. My prayers are their for you.
Jane, Debbie and Jefff and all your family members, My heart is yours on this day!!!
Aunt Betty was truly an inspiration…As one of the youngest cousins my memories are rich with one Xmas. Like a Rockwell painting… the experience in the big family home, staircases, dogs and cousins every where it seemed. Amazing beef Wellington, pies and endless dishes to savor. I was gifted a collection of yarns and she taught me to weave that year. I now have one her watercolors of horses in a meadow in my office. She even painted her own Xmas cards!!! She will be missed and never forgotten!! All my love Sheryl
Goodbye, Betty…
Where does anyone begin? My heart goes out to the family. I have such special memories visiting the Allen homestead in Kansas. My cousins, riding on George’s tractor, the “secret” stairs that were right out of a mystery novel. Everyone was so welcoming and real. I remember watching Betty work her magic on that giant loom her holiday cooking (my first and last Chateubriand was gourmet and delicious), and her ability to wrangle that giant clan to the Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner table. My mother (Gloria, Betty’s sister) would always tear up anytime she reminisced about Betty. That one picture of Gloria, Barbara and Betty descending the stairs on a cruise ship (I believe that’s where they were) is my favorite of all time and depicts just how close and special these three were. I am so very pleased that we were all able to have that one last dinner in San Diego before Gloria suddenly passed. That simply evening made my mother smile to her end. Betty Allen, I enjoyed our long-distance chats on the phone and your constant positive energy and giant heart. I lost track of how many letters Betty wrote to me. She will be missed forever… What a life Betty had and how lucky I was to know her.
Jeff and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I loss my mother in April also and she was at Pioneer Ridge. I know she will be missed by all of you. Memories will also be with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in God’s Word where He promises a time soon when “death will be no more.” (Revelation 21:4)
I am saddened to hear about Mrs. Allen’s passing. What a delightful, sweet, beautiful lady she was. I only knew her for a short time, but Betty will have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. What a terrible, sad loss. I love you, Betty. –Jim Martin
I have wonderful memories of Aunt Betty. I am so sorry for your loss. She was talented and giving. May you find comfort during such a difficult time.
I have wonderful memories of Aunt Betty. I am so sorry for your loss. She was talented and giving. May you find comfort during such a difficult time.