Betty Eileen Winters

Elizabeth Eileen “Betty” (Lala) Winters was born February 26, 1933, near Woodston, Kansas, to Bert and Dorothy (Huff) Lala. She passed away August 22, 2017, in Hill City, Kansas. Betty attended grade school at Ash Rock north of Woodston and graduated from Woodston High School in 1951. She married Jule Winters on December 13, 1952, in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Their marriage was blessed with two children: Linda Eileen and Steven Jule. An oil-field wife, Betty became adept at moving her family from one home to the next at a moment’s notice. The family lived in Stockton, Lyons, Hays, Great Bend, Logan, Madison, and Russell before settling in Hill City to open Winters Conoco on the corner of 6th and Main. Winters Conoco later relocated to the stoplight and became Winters Fina and then Winters Texaco. Despite the changes in name, Betty could be found Monday through Saturday from 7AM to 7PM washing cars, bookkeeping, helping Jule and Steve, and crocheting in the office. Her homemade jelly and sauerkraut were legendary, and she was often known to share extra jars with her customers. Betty was an avid crafter. She loved to try new crafts and particularly enjoyed crocheting, quilting, and embroidering. She was especially proud to crochet graduation afghans for her many great- nieces and nephews. When not at the station, she could be found rummaging through thrift stores or attending local garage sales and auctions to find supplies for her next craft project. Family was important to Betty. An only child, Betty loved getting together with her brothers- and sisters-in law and their extended families. She was always in attendance at family reunions and was the unofficial family historian. She delighted in hosting large family dinners for upwards of 60 people and will always be remembered for her creamed corn, homemade noodles, deviled eggs, vanilla ice cream, and pies. Depending on the season, she and Jule spent their Sundays off visiting family in Woodston, fishing or pulling skiiers at Webster Lake, or hunting. Because Grandma Betty was always there for her grandchildren, she and Jule spent their 40th wedding anniversary goose hunting with BJ at Kirwin Lake. She taught Crystal how to bake, crochet, and roller skate and was the only one patient enough to teach her how to drive. She quickly became a rodeo fan when BJ began roping and riding and never missed any of his rodeos. Later in life, she babysat her great-grandchildren and would go sledding and have snowball fights with the kids whenever the snow was deep enough. She was thrilled to gain two more granddaughters with the addition of Bailey and Stevie, both of whom she cherished. Grandma Betty often said that her grandchildren were not spoiled; they were just well-loved. Betty was a 30+ year cancer survivor and took part in fundraising efforts each year for the American Cancer Society. In her later years, her sweet nature made her a favorite resident at Dawson Place where she received great care and attention during the final eight years of her life. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and a baby brother. She is survived by her husband Jule, of Hill City; daughter Linda Winters (Jim Delaney), Hill City; son Steven (Lana) Winters, Bogue; grandchildren BJ (Jean Ann) Hoeting, Webster, Crystal (Tim) Plante, Hill City, Bailey Loughry, Norton, and Stevie Winters, Bogue; great-grandchildren Sabre, Braidyn, Gavin, and Easton Plante, Hill City, Cappi and Cheyenne Hoeting, Webster, Bryten Loughry, Bogue, and Acelynn and Brextan Loughry, Norton; in-laws Georgia Winters, Denver, Alva Winters, Hill City, Ivan and Shirley Winters, Hill City, and Lennie and Diane Winters, Imperial, Nebraska, and a host of nieces and nephews of whom she was proud to call her own. A private memorial service will be held on August 26, 2017, with burial at Ash Rock Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Dawson Place, and condolences may be sent to Jule Winters, c/o Dawson Place, 208 W Prout Street, Hill City, KS 67642. She is Gone By David Harkins You can shed tears that she is gone Or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her Or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her and only that she’s gone Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back Or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.