Betty Menehan

Menehan, Betty Ann , 92, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died November 25, 2019. A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, November 30th at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.

Betty was born April 10, 1927 to Leonard and Emma Bartel in Wichita, Kansas where she was raised and spent her life. She graduated from East High School in 1945 and from Wichita State University in 1950. After college she worked for McCormick Armstrong Advertising Agency in Wichita and then moved to San Francisco to broaden her career.

In 1951 she married her sweetheart Jim Menehan in the San Francisco court house. They then moved to Kansas City where Jim was in medical school and she worked for Hallmark Cards. His residency took them to Buffalo, New York before they finally settled in Wichita where Jim began his medical career at the Wichita Clinic. Betty became involved with the Clinic Wives, Jr. League, Investment Club, and a cooking club. She was a beautiful seamstress and an accomplished cook and the ultimate hostess. Adding one more to the table was always a breeze, she never blinked an eye!

Betty and Jim had three daughters; Kelsey, born in 1953, Melissa, born in 1956, and Devon, born in 1958. The family took many road trips across the country visiting many National Parks and exploring many points of interest. They drove to California nearly every summer to spend time with Jimʼs folks who had retired to La Jolla.

Betty and Jim had a large group of friends who they enjoyed many trips with and they had lots of bridge games and tennis matches together. Betty was famous among her friends for her birthday scrapbooks and the songs she would compose for many a special occasion.

Betty had a generous spirit and quick wit. She loved her kids and grandkids and liked nothing more than hosting family gatherings. She suffered with Alzheimers in her final years, but always kept her feisty nature. Her family used to joke that she was the most popular gal in the memory care unit!

She is survived by her husband Jim; daughters: Kelsey Menehan of San Francisco, California; Melissa (Van) Abel of Wichita; and Devon (Jon) Kirkpatrick of Overland Park, Ks. Grandchildren: Sam (Mischia) Kirkpatrick; Brian Kirkpatrick; Andrea (Adam) Powell; David (Kendra) Abel, and three great grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew her, but especially by her family and her devoted husband of 68 years.

A memorial has been established with the Memory Care Unit at Catholic Care Center. Our family will be forever grateful for the love and compassion they showed her.