1926
Mrs.
2014
Mrs. Betty Freeman (Nichols) Klein
February 25, 1926 — October 25, 2014
Betty Freeman (Nichols) Klein, 88 of Leawood, KS, passed away Saturday October 25, 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Betty was born to George W. and Virginia (Freeman) Nichols on February 25, 1926 in Blue Springs, MO where she spent her early years and where she still owns a 176 year old family farm. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1944, Columbia College in Columbia, MO in 1946 and Washburn University in Topeka, KS in 1949. Betty married Oscar R. Klein, Jr. on April 16, 1949 and they celebrated their 65th Anniversary last April. They have four children, David, Thomas, William and Cynthia. They have lived in the Kansas City area since 1951 and at their home in Leawood since 1966.
Betty was active in numerous volunteer capacities over the years including, being on the PTA and a perennial room mother at Corinth Elementary; a member of the Philharmonic League and later the Symphony League of Kansas City; serving on the Board, and later as Board President, of the Nettleton Home for Women; as a longtime volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital earning her 3,000 hour pin and where the doctors and nurses asked her to go with them when the original Heart Institute opened; and as a very long time volunteer and Volunteer Coordinator for the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. She was also a member of the Mission Hills Chapter of the DAR and a member of Chapter F of the PEO.
Betty had a wonderful love of life and lived it to the fullest, whether it was family trips camping, skiing or trout fishing or traveling extensively with Oscar in retirement. She was a wonderful cook and always hosted the large family dinners, including the semi-annual Lobster Saturdays and all of the holiday gatherings. While Betty was small in stature, she had a huge impact on all of her family and set an exemplary example of a kind and loving person for all to follow. She will be deeply missed.
Betty is survived by her husband, Oscar of the home, and children, David (Sharon) Klein of Overland Park, KS; Thomas (Kathy) Klein of Silver Lake, KS; William (Donna) Klein of Leawood, KS; and Cynthia Klein of Leawood, KS. Grandchildren: Jennifer (Jason) Coon of Overland Park, KS; Theresa (Doug) Hurd of Ft. Scott, KS; Joshua Klein of Silver Lake, KS; Shannon (Matthew) Bergmann of Silver Lake, KS; Sara Ross of Silver Lake, KS; Melissa Klein of Leawood, KS; Nathan Klein of Leawood, KS. Great grandchildren: Ella and Lathen Coon; Elsie Hurd; Grady, Hagen and Brynn Bergmann; and Jaxton and Jerek Ross. And one brother, Richard Nichols of Lee’s Summit, MO.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2014 with burial immediately following. All services will be held at Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210.
Family will receive guests for a light luncheon and reception following the services at Indian Hills Country Club.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution be sent to The Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired at 3101 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111 or to a charity of their choice.
Betty was born to George W. and Virginia (Freeman) Nichols on February 25, 1926 in Blue Springs, MO where she spent her early years and where she still owns a 176 year old family farm. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1944, Columbia College in Columbia, MO in 1946 and Washburn University in Topeka, KS in 1949. Betty married Oscar R. Klein, Jr. on April 16, 1949 and they celebrated their 65th Anniversary last April. They have four children, David, Thomas, William and Cynthia. They have lived in the Kansas City area since 1951 and at their home in Leawood since 1966.
Betty was active in numerous volunteer capacities over the years including, being on the PTA and a perennial room mother at Corinth Elementary; a member of the Philharmonic League and later the Symphony League of Kansas City; serving on the Board, and later as Board President, of the Nettleton Home for Women; as a longtime volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital earning her 3,000 hour pin and where the doctors and nurses asked her to go with them when the original Heart Institute opened; and as a very long time volunteer and Volunteer Coordinator for the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. She was also a member of the Mission Hills Chapter of the DAR and a member of Chapter F of the PEO.
Betty had a wonderful love of life and lived it to the fullest, whether it was family trips camping, skiing or trout fishing or traveling extensively with Oscar in retirement. She was a wonderful cook and always hosted the large family dinners, including the semi-annual Lobster Saturdays and all of the holiday gatherings. While Betty was small in stature, she had a huge impact on all of her family and set an exemplary example of a kind and loving person for all to follow. She will be deeply missed.
Betty is survived by her husband, Oscar of the home, and children, David (Sharon) Klein of Overland Park, KS; Thomas (Kathy) Klein of Silver Lake, KS; William (Donna) Klein of Leawood, KS; and Cynthia Klein of Leawood, KS. Grandchildren: Jennifer (Jason) Coon of Overland Park, KS; Theresa (Doug) Hurd of Ft. Scott, KS; Joshua Klein of Silver Lake, KS; Shannon (Matthew) Bergmann of Silver Lake, KS; Sara Ross of Silver Lake, KS; Melissa Klein of Leawood, KS; Nathan Klein of Leawood, KS. Great grandchildren: Ella and Lathen Coon; Elsie Hurd; Grady, Hagen and Brynn Bergmann; and Jaxton and Jerek Ross. And one brother, Richard Nichols of Lee’s Summit, MO.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2014 with burial immediately following. All services will be held at Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210.
Family will receive guests for a light luncheon and reception following the services at Indian Hills Country Club.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution be sent to The Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired at 3101 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111 or to a charity of their choice.
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