Bettie Elizabeth Horst

Bettie Elizabeth Horst, age 93, passed away on January 9th, 2025 at the home of her son Daniel Horst in Pittsburg, Missouri surrounded by her family.

Bettie Elizabeth Holland was born February 11th, 1931 , to Earl and Icie (Oliver) Holland at Newmans Memorial Hospital in Emporia, Kansas.

Bettie grew up on the family farm in rural Hamilton, Kansas, and attended Willow Valley School. From her earliest days of childhood, she was an active part of the family farm. She was the youngest of 8 children born over a span of 18 years. Bettie was the same age as many of her nieces and nephews, who remained in close proximity, creating treasured, lifelong friendships.

Bettie met her husband, Harold "Gene" Horst who lived on a farm South of Madison, KS. Gene was working for a farm equipment dealer at the time they met and was hired to drill a 40-acre field of oats for her father. Bettie and Gene were united in marriage on November 14th, 1953 in El Paso, Texas. They settled on a farmstead west of Madison, KS, where they raised 4 children, Mary Lynn, Dan, Doris and Carol.

Bettie was a committed Christian having given her heart to the Lord, at the age of 14, in the Hamilton, Methodist Church. She was an active member of the Methodist Church in Madison, KS for over 70 years as well as a member of PEO having recently received her 50-year pin.

Bettie was known for making homemade chicken and noodles for her family and church dinners, along with numerous pies for family and friends.

Bettie is survived by her children Mary Lynn (Alan) Meyers of Medicine Lodge, Kansas; Daniel (Janie) Horst of Pittsburg, Missouri; Doris (Justin) Sage of Madison, Kansas; Carol (Tom) Mains of Emporia, Kansas. Bettie had 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews; numerous extended family and a community of dear friends. Bettie was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Icie (Oliver) Holland, her husband of 61 years, Gene Horst, 4 brothers, Elwood Holland, Robert Holland, Ivan Holland and Earl Holland, 3 sisters, Ruby Crowell, Ruth Johnson and Frieda Young, 1 Grandson, and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, January 16, 2025 at the Madison Global Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until service time on Thursday at the Church. Burial will follow at Woods Cemetery southwest of Madison. Memorial contributions may be made to the Madison Global Methodist Church or Faith Care Connection and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Home at P.O. #488, Madison, Kansas 66860. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.