Betty Jean Denniston

Betty Jean Denniston, 90, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020, at Morningstar Care Homes of Ottawa. Cremation has taken place. There are no services per Betty’s wishes. Betty was born to Geraldine Beatrice (Smith) Messenger and Clarence Eugene Messenger, in Denver, Colorado on July 15, 1930. She came to Kansas with her mother and her older brother, when she was just a baby, by hopping a box car on a train. She lived most of her younger life in and around Garnett, Kansas. She met Don Denniston, who was from the Ottawa, Kansas area. They were married in her parents living room in Garnett, Kansas on November 7, 1948. Betty and Don lived in several states for Don’s jobs, but finally settled in Ottawa, Kansas in 1959/1960, where for nearly 34 years, they lived on N. Cherry Street. During those years, Betty worked in the food service industry. She managed the Ham & Bun on Logan & Main, Scotty’s Drive-In on 5th, The Paradise Café on N. Main, and the L&L Café on S. Main. She then opened her own café on N. Main & Logan, called The People’s Café, later known as Betty’s Café. Betty ended her working career, cooking for the USD 290 school cafeterias around town, which she loved. Don and Betty were married for 72 years. They lived in Ottawa for 34 years, moved to Vassar, Kansas, for 24 years and had recently moved back to Ottawa to be close to family. Together they have 4 children, 14 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. Betty loved flowers, gardening and canning. She was also an avid collector of spoons, thimbles and numerous other items. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Don, on September 14, 2020, to cancer; parents, Geraldine Beatrice (Smith) Messenger and Clarence Eugene Messenger; stepfather, Alexander “Shorty” Earl Brown, and brother, Clarence Eugene Messenger II. Betty is survived by four siblings, Jack Messenger, Robert Messenger, Mary Irene (Brown) Lamb, and Raymond Brown; and four children, Charlie O’Roark, Wayne Denniston, Penny Fuller and Tammy Johnson.