Elizabeth Olberding Obituary

Elizabeth J. "Betty" (Bowhay) Olberding, 77, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025, at Midland Care Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas, surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born on January 15, 1948, to Virgil and Theodora "Dora" (Kuckelman) Bowhay. She attended Kelly Elementary and High School, graduating in 1966. She went on to study at the Florence Cook Department of L.P.N. at KU Medical Center, completing her training in 1968.
A lifelong learner and devoted nurse, Betty later specialized in obstetrics, joining the OB team at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in 1989. That same year, she became certified in Breast Self-Examination and Mammography through St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. In 1990, she earned her certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. For 26 years, Betty served Nemaha Valley Community Hospital with passion and care, working in numerous roles including Outpatient Clinic Coordinator, circulating nurse in surgery, and recovery room nurse. She was also IV-certified.
Throughout her career, Betty worked at Country View Estates in Seneca, Community Memorial Hospital in Marysville, and served as a nurse's aide at both St. Luke's and St. Joseph Hospitals in Kansas City while studying. Even in retirement, her commitment to care continued through her work at local care homes including Eastridge, Crestview, Frankfort Care Home, and private care for Don Schurman.
On May 9, 1970, Betty married the love of her life, Albert Olberding Jr. Together they raised their five children on the family dairy farm in St. Benedict, Kansas. Their children include Michele (Richard Jr.) Dugan of St. George, KS; twin daughters Mary Ann (1973) and Monica (Toby) Countryman of Quinter, KS; and two sons, Ryan (Holly Grund) Olberding of Wamego, KS, and Gerard (Megan Niehues) Olberding of St. Benedict, KS. She loved watching her children in all their many activities from their days at B&B High School and Highland Community College. They continued their love of watching sporting activities by always watching the K-State Wildcats, Chiefs, Royals and all of her grandchildren's sports and activities. Most notably, Betty was extremely devoted to her faith, family, and friends.
Betty was a woman of faith and service. A devoted member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in St. Benedict, she served as President and Secretary of the Altar Society. She was active in the Richmond Township Women's Republican Committee, served as a 4-H community and project leader, participated in EHU, the Health Fair Committee, and volunteered with the American Red Cross.
Her hobbies were many and joyful; she loved reading, baking, embroidery, gardening, traveling, and later in life, playing bridge and going on adventures with her close circle of friends. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, and she was a proud and devoted grandmother to nine: Spencer (Grace Mernagh) Dugan of Wichita and Grant Dugan of St. George; Kaitlyn, Brooklyn, and Kade Countryman of Quinter; Kyra and Brady Olberding of Wamego; and Jaci and Tessa Olberding of St. Benedict. Her siblings Bob (Kathy) Bowhay of Debois, NE, Jim (Thelma) Bowhay of Netawaka, KS, Mary (Ken) Boeckman of Kansas City, MO, Arminda (Jim) Feldkamp of Wamego KS, and Marge (Dennis) Miller of Frankfort, KS.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Albert Jr. (2024), her daughter Mary Ann Olberding; her parents Virgil and Dora; her in-laws, Albert Sr. and Emma Olberding; siblings Jack Bowhay, Virginia Mitchell, Ed Bowhay and her sister-in-law Teresa Olberding (1941).
Rosaries will be held at Lauer Funeral Home at 2 and 7 P.M on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The Mass of Christian Burial mass will be at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in St. Benedict, with interment at the church cemetery next to her husband Albert. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church in St. Benedict.