Betty Marie Sester

Betty Marie (Cook) Sester went to be with the Lord Friday afternoon, February 2, 2018 at home with her loving family caring for her in Topeka. She was born May 7, 1926 to parents William "Bill" P. and Bessie C. Cook. Betty, an only child, lived with her grandma Minnie during the week until she started school while her parents worked at their painting and wallpapering business. She graduated from Seaman High School in 1945 then went to Clarks Business School.

Betty fell in love and married Albert W. "Al/Bud" Sester on December 21, 1947. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family this past December. Betty loved having family get togethers for birthdays and holidays. Family consists of son Allen Sester with children Ben, Adam, Nick, and Danielle; Janet and Tom Holcomb; Barb and Chris Knoebber; Pam and Doyle Pollom of Meriden with children Justin, Derek, and Amy; Deb and Gilbert Hooper of Wichita with children Andrew, Jordan, and Mikah in Germany with the USAF. Great grandchildren Noah, Audrey, Nolan (Danielle); Araya, Abby (Adam); Kimber, Nate, Jace (Justin); Lexi, Bo (Andrew); next bundle of joy due in May (Derek). She helped organize Cook family reunions for several summers with cousins from out of state coming together for good times; Sheila, Tisha, Tommy, and Kathy. Their mother Hazel was like a sister. They even looked like sisters. Jesse and Goldie are also very special cousins.

She worked 10 years for the telephone company before staying home with the first 3 of 5 children. While her children were in Rochester Elementary School, she worked in the school cafeteria. Betty went to work for Memorial Hospital in the business office and retired after 15 + years.

Betty was a 4-H leader for the Rochester 4-H Club beginning in 1961. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, playing bingo and pitch. Betty was presented with a Life member certificate after 50 years of service with the Moose Lodge chapter 1091. She served as Senior Regent 1990-91 and Bingo Snack Bar Manager for Thursday afternoon bingo for 20 years. The number of pies she baked or purchased for the snack bar would have to be in the hundreds, maybe more. It was also one of her favorite desserts she ate almost daily with supper. Many Friday and Saturday nights were spent dancing to live bands at the Moose after having dinner in the dining room. Special friends Dolly and Ashley would be there and nicknamed her "Lil Betty".

She was a quiet, kind, gentle, happy person that loved to smile and laugh at the drop of a hat. She would raise her eyebrows then smile followed by uncontrollable laughing. A favorite expression she used a lot when she was feeling good or bad, happy or sad about something was "Oh Boy". How she expressed it told you which way she was feeling. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her including their fur babies Annie and Amber.

A bible verse that hangs on her wall: Love bears all things, Believes all things, Hopes all things, Endures all things. Love never ends. So Faith, Hope, Love abide… But the greatest of these is Love. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8, 13

There will be a Celebration of Life April 14, 2018 from 5-7 pm at the Old Moose Lodge.

The family thanks Midland Hospice for their help and support during her last 2 weeks. This allowed the family to care for Betty in her home.