Betty Evert

Betty Florine Kopsa, daughter of Charles W. Kopsa and Hattie Vaneta Peterson, was born on July 15, 1925 on a farm near Cuba, Kansas and passed away at Republic County Hospital on October 10th, 2018 at the age of 93 years, 2 months and 25 days.  After graduating from Munden High School in 1942, she obtained her teaching certificate from Kansas State University. She taught country school and also 1st and 2nd grades in Republic Kansas where she was affectionately called “Miss Betty”. She married Elden Lorraine Evert on August 29, 1949 and together they raised four children.

She held a variety of jobs, throughout her life. She worked at the nursing home, the hospital, library, and later the Republic and Jamestown post offices before becoming the Postmaster at Webber, Kansas. Her most important job titles, however were “Mom”, “Grandma Betty”, and “Grandma Great”.

Betty had a strong faith and was very committed to her family and the farm. She loved working outdoors, checking the electric fences, and raising chickens and the occasional orphaned lambs and calves. She was a very humble and giving person but preferred to work behind the scenes, washing dishes after church dinners and typing the church newsletter. She prepared wonderful meals for her family but Sunday dinners were an extra special event with many family members often in attendance.

Her hobbies included playing bridge with her “8 to 12” club, reading, and working crossword puzzles. She was excellent seamstress making many of her and her daughter’s dresses and patching scores of blue jeans. She also enjoyed feeding her wild birds and the farm cats. She also cherished the time that she spent with her many grand and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include: Daughters: Vicki (Ron) Hallagin of Ellis, KS; Lorraine (Carl Hoskins) Evert of Parsons, KS; and Sons: Randy (Betsy) Evert  and Ron Evert, both of Belleville, KS.

Grandchildren: Troy (Mary) Hallagin, Trent (Deanna) Hallagin, Trevor (Tammy) Hallagin, Chris (Kim) Springer, Neil Springer, Holle Evert, Heidi Nordstrom, Krystal (Dave) Lantz, Lynsey (Braden) Damman, Shelby Hergott, Andy (Shayna) Evert, Erin Williams, Ethan Evert, and Lacey (Thayne) Clark.

Great Grandchildren: Tyler Hallagin, Brianna (Tom) Hargis, Tanner Hallagin, Courtney Hallagin, Tayton Hallagin, Tristen Hallagin, Talon Hallagin, Kristi (Joe) Wood, Noah Springer, Jacob Springer, Kambree Judy, Brylee Judy, Sterling Judy, Taylor Manos, Paige Kniep, Kara Kniep, Bryn Kniep, Ava, Kniep, Nina Nordstrom, Henry Hatcher, MacKenzie Hergott, Tinley Lantz, Wesley Lantz, Brecklyn Damman, Wyatt Evert, Becca Evert, Kyra Evert, Waylan Evert, Isaiah Evert, Alexandria Williams, Ashton Williams, Kennedy Clark, Mason Clark, and Arlo Clark.

Brothers; Bob (Phyllis) Kopsa of Chester, NE and Don (Elaine) Kopsa of Craig, CO; sisters-in-law; Gail Kopsa of Agenda, KS, Darlene Jensen of Courtland, KS, Jetty Evert of California.

She also had many nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Elden, a brother, Clair Kopsa and a grandson Clayton Hergott.

Visitation will be at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville on Sunday October 14th from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial Service will be held at the Republic United Methodist Church at 10:30 a.m, with inurnment following at Prairie Rose Cemetery, rural Republic.

Memorials in Betty’s name can be made to United Methodist Church and the Rae Hobson Memorial Library and sent to the funeral home.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home assisted the Evert family with arrangements.