Betty Joan Malone

Betty Joan Malone, age 78, died October 5, 2014 at home. Betty, the eldest of five children, was born July 18, 1936 to Lynn and Pearl Gisel in Hutchinson, Kansas. She married Elvis (Bud) Malone in 1954 and they had five children. Betty was a mother first, but when all of her kids were in school, she took a job as the principal"s secretary at Spring Hill elementary school. She worked there and at the school library. After the family moved to Hillsdale, she started to work at King Radio in Olathe until they opened a plant in Paola. She took the job as the lady who trained everyone who was hired for the line. Betty worked at a Dude ranch in Colorado one summer when her husband was working in the area. She worked at Cade"s Hardware in Spring Hill for many years. She also worked at Walmart off and on until her retirement. She was known for her hard working ethics. Betty loved to have all her kids and grandkids gathered around her, she had Sunday dinners every Sunday as long as she lived in Hillsdale. The amount of food that went through her kitchen was enormous. Her love of animals is legendary in the family, she always had something. She had fish aquariums, mini ponies, miniature donkeys from her nephew Patrick, geese, ducks, chickens, peacocks and other exotic birds, goats, a sheep, turkeys, dogs of many varieties, a Siamese cat, dove, rabbits, you name it and she had it at one time or another. She rescued baby birds fallen from their nests, squirrels from blown down limbs, wild rabbits, and any wild thing needing taken care of. She was an avid gardener, always growing something good. She loved to can and put up the harvest. She said it was very satisfying to her. She had a tomato contest with her son-in-law Tom every year to see who would have the first red tomato. She was very competitive. She loved her flowers and trees. She was an active member of Plum Creek Methodist Church. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her children Diane Millam (Russell) of Missouri, Jim Malone of Missouri, Peggy Scherman (Tom) of Paola, Patricia Sullivan (Don) of Paola and John Malone (Elaine) of Paola; 12 grandchildren Michelle Nevious, Jody Malone, Janelle Adair, Jake Scherman, Nick Scherman, Mike Scherman, Jessie Scherman, Tim Sullivan, Travis Sullivan, Tom Sullivan, Sarah Faubush, and John Wes Malone; 25 great grandchildren; brothers Dick Gisel of Hutchinson, Dennis Gisel of Lawrence and sisters Linda Ediger of McPherson, KS and Jeanie Archer of Southlake, TX. Memorial donations may be given to Olathe Hospice or Plum Creek Methodist Church. To share a memory of Betty or leave a special condolence message for her family, please click the "Share Memories" button above.