Betty Jean Dow

Betty Jean Dow, 94, of Olathe, Kansas, died Tuesday, September 14 at Olathe Medical Center of complications due to pneumonia. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM, Thursday, September 23 at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 S. Black Bob Rd., Olathe, with visitation at 9:30 AM and committal at Leavenworth National Cemetery at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Mission Southside, 514 S. Kansas Ave., Olathe KS 66061.

Betty was born on April 7, 1927, in Kansas City, Missouri, the youngest of 10 children, all of whom she survived. Her parents died when she was very young, and she was taken in and raised by her older brother Jim, his wife Mary, and their son Mike, who, although technically a nephew, was and has been like a brother to her. She graduated high school in Raytown, Missouri, where she would have been salutatorian but for not having attended there all 4 years, having started at East High School, Kansas City. After high school she worked, along with several friends at General Motors operating a computing machine.

At one of several dances sponsored for members of the military, she met Carroll M. "Jerry" Dow. They married on February 10, 1951, a marriage which lasted until Jerry's death in 2002. The Army transferred the couple to Japan, where their first son was born. Over the course of the marriage, Betty worked at several jobs to help supplement the family's income and pay the higher education expenses for their sons Dennis and Steve, including secretary to the principal of Westview School, Olathe. She later developed a professional career of her own as a purchaser for Johnson County Community College, from which she retired in 1994.

Betty had an active faith and was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church, Olathe, where she volunteered in many capacities, including assisting the treasurer and serving in the food pantry. She later became a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church. She also volunteered in the community, including at Mission Southside and as a greeter at Olathe Medical Center.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Jerry and all her siblings. She is survived by two sons, Dennis (wife Anne) and Steven (wife Timi Barone); four grandchildren, Eliese Callahan (husband Patrick), Michael, Jeremy, and Eleanor; and five great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Zelie, and Peter Callahan. Also mourning her passing are her nephew Mike Brown and his wife Kate Forsyth, and her great-niece Michelle Brown.

Betty was open and engaging, and had many friends. She had a ready sense of humor and loved to tease family and friends. Although she could at times be feisty bordering on cantankerous, she was also kind and thoughtful, and genuinely cared about her friends and family. She was truly interested in what went on in their lives, offering encouragement and support when she could. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends, and a world which is better for having had her in it.