Our beloved mother, Betty Louise Thierolf, passed away peacefully to be with our Lord on January 7th, 2017. She was born Betty Louise Johnson on May 5th, 1927 in Creston, Iowa, the only surviving child to Clarence Edward Johnson and Carrie (Monteith) Johnson.
Betty was raised in Creston, Iowa, and following graduation from Cromwell High School attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska. It was in Omaha at her first job with Socony-Vacuum Oil Company (now known as Mobil Oil Corporation) that she met the love of her life, Richard Lee Thierolf. Betty and Dick were married on May 16th, 1948 in Omaha where they started their family. The family transferred from Omaha, Nebraska to Edina, Minnesota before finally settling in Overland Park, Kansas. Dick was her devoted husband for a short 23-years before his passing in 1971. Betty’s life as a homemaker raising three children quickly changed. She resumed her career at Johnson County Bank before returning to Mobil Oil where she worked in a local field office. Betty was looking for a position with better benefits and within a few years landed a position with the Social Security Administration in downtown Kansas City. She worked for the Social Security agency for almost 30-years, earning recognition for her outstanding work in public service. She was presented the Agency’s Honor Award in 1997, traveling to Baltimore, Maryland for the celebration.
Betty is survived by her three children, Craig Thierolf, Linda Loveridge (husband Doug Loveridge) of Lenexa, KS, and Janet Kruse (husband Peter Kruse) of Carlsbad, CA; four grandchildren, Bryan Loveridge (wife Megan Loveridge) of Overland Park, KS, Mallory Parets (husband Alex Parets) of Washington, DC, Craig Kruse of Vista, CA and Sarah Kruse of Austin, TX.
Betty loved her family. She always said she could not have chosen better sons-in-law herself! They loved and admired her equally. She was an extremely proud grandmother, appreciating each grandchild for the individuals they are, and celebrating each of their accomplishments equally. We all respected the dignified way she navigated the ups and downs in her life. Betty was a member of the Overland Park Presbyterian Church since 1963, and an avid social ballroom dancer for as long as she was able. We will remember her extraordinary upbeat spirit, amazing work ethic and ability to adapt to life’s changes with grace. We are indebted to Aberdeen Village Assisted Care Facility in Lenexa, KS for their devotion and loving care for Betty T!
The family will hold a private memorial service where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Dick, at Johnson County Chapel and Memorial Gardens.
Memorial donations may be directed to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.