Elizabeth “Betty” Hazlett
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Elizabeth “Betty” Hazlett passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at her home in Lawrence,
Kansas. She celebrated her 102nd birthday a little over one month prior to her death with friends
and family, remaining lucid until the very end.
Betty was born in Lawrence, Kansas, on April 26, 1921, the daughter of Edwin F. and Marie
(Robinson) Abels. Ed and Marie were owners and editors of a weekly newspaper in Lawrence,
The Outlook, for forty-five years. Betty pitched in at the newspaper in her teen years and while in
college by selling advertising to local merchants.
Betty attended the University of Kansas, receiving undergraduate and master’s degrees in English
and Journalism. She loved the university and the education she received there. She was an ardent
KU sports fan and treasured the latest NCAA championship. She was alive for all six National
Basketball Championships, the first coming in 1922!
Betty began working as a classroom teacher in 1945 in Denver, Colorado. She taught at Bear
Creek High School for two years until her return to the state of Kansas. After working for her
parents, utilizing her degree in Journalism, she became the Editor of the Kansas Government
Journal, the Kansas League of Municipalities magazine. In 1959, Betty accepted a teaching
position at Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, where she taught English, Journalism and was
the Yearbook Sponsor. In 1970, Betty and her husband, Emerson, moved to Manhattan, where
she became the English and Journalism teacher at Manhattan High School. She retired in 1980.
She was proud and honored to have taught in the public school system. Many of Betty’s students
kept in touch with her, and many contacted her recently on her 102nd birthday.
As well as being instrumental in the lives of her two sons, she was the past-President of the
Women’s Kansas Day Club, a founding President of the John Haupt Chapter of the Daughters of
the American Revolution, a member of the University Women’s Club, a member of the P.E.O.
(Philanthropic Educational Organization) Kansas State Chapter, an organization dedicated to the
advancement of women.
Betty was first married to Allan R. Ewing, on May 26, 1942, who was killed at the Battle of the
Bulge in the Second World War on Christmas Eve in 1944.
Betty and Emerson Hazlett were married in Lawrence on October 7, 1949, and shortly thereafter
they moved to Topeka. Emerson survives at home. He was with her every step of the way, lying
next to her when she passed away. They loved Colorado, and until recently, the two spent their
summers in Estes Park, where they were active in the Summer Resident’s Association for over 30
years.
Other survivors include her two sons, Allan A. Hazlett and Stan A. Hazlett; six grandchildren,
Christopher Hazlett, Rob Hazlett, Ryan Hazlett, Jessica Wood, Jocelyn Gunter, Elizabeth
Boschma; ten great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, with another on the way.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and daughter-in-law, Peggy Hazlett.
Presently, there is no service scheduled. Friends and relatives will be contacted to get together
soon to honor and celebrate her life.
To Stan – Your mother led an amazing life. Clearly you will miss her but will have many wonderful memories to cherish. All the best to you.
Dear Allan and Stan,
I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing your family peace and lovely memories of a life well lived.
Take care, Theresa
To Emerson, Stan and family- What a remarkable woman. My thoughts are with you.
Stan,
So sorry for your loss. It sounds like your mother was an interesting and very accomplished woman. Please know that our thoughts and sympathy are with you.
Dear Emerson and Family, so sad to learn of Betty’s passing. Betty was a remarkable lady, she was in our Tuesday coffee group for years, we always had a bearclaw and coffee. The obituary gave a wonderful story of her 102 great years. RIH my friend. Patty🌻.Pa
Stan, we are sorry for the loss of your mother. Are prayers are with you and your family.
Betty was an amazing, kind, positive lady. Our sympathies to all of the Hazlett family.
Stan,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your Mom lived a remarkable and long life. What a blessing she was to Emerson, your brother, and you. May God’s peace be with you.
Stan and Family,
I just read about your mom. We had many wonderful conversations at our Tuesday coffee get together. She was a special special lady.
Debby Crady
Living to 102 may sound old, but it’s really a lovely milestone. It’s a vantage point few can behold. A lifetime with struggles, a lifetime with responsibilities and a lifetime of happiness and joy. I’m writing on behave of Matthew & Mark Begert, Brandon Myers, and Bob Bowman, alumni of Washburn Rural High School. She was an exceptional teacher and even a better person. We all have great stories to tell, and I want to recount one about my brother Matthew. He took the advanced journalism class and was the only male in a class of 32. He was forever grateful for the support of the outnumbered one. Some of my best memories are in Allen Field House. Long after I graduated from KU, I was sitting in the floor bleachers and turned around and saw her sitting several rows behind me. I immediately ran up to see her and catch up. We talked at ever game after that.
We are all so happy that she was a part of our lives.
Emerson, Stan and family. My deep condolences. Always made sure that my Mom made it to the beauty shop. Very special people.
Stan, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a remarkable woman who I remember fondly. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorry to hear about your mom, Stan. She lived an amazing life, made easier these last years with your help. I hope the abundance of memories you must have help comfort you and your family.
Emerson – we will miss our visits with you and Betty. She was such a special lady and lived such an amazing life. She was the last living charter member of the John Haupt DAR chapter.
I loved Betty. I loved her spunk, her intelligence, her good humor and her ability to asses a situation and write about it. She was a journalist, a teacher and a good friend. My sympathies to Emerson, Alan and Stan. Rosemary Anderson
Betty was my journalism teacher my junior year at Manhattan High School and was our sponsor my senior year while I was on the school weekly newspaper. She was an excellent teacher and taught us how to produce both news articles and a yearbook.
Betty was one of the nicest people I knew. She shouldered through physical problems with an extremely positive attitude. She was a living example of what a P.E.O. sister should be! It was a privilege to know her.
Betty and Emerson were active members of the summer residence association (SRA) in Colorado for many years. This included hiking, dinners, bookclub, & bridge to name a few. Betty was known for her positive attitude, her empathy for others, her resilience, her hospitality. and her sense of humor. She was an amazing person and will be remembered and loved by many. She and Emerson created a life together that was blessed & served as a model for others.
Wonderful tributes to an exceptional mom. I can’t add anymore to all the wonderful things that have been said. We were both lucky to have such exceptional moms to love and guide us.
Stan,
So sorry for you and your family’s loss. Thoughts and prayers with you all.