Betty Ann (Balloun) Boxberger, 90, of Russell, Kansas, passed peacefully Sunday, July 23, 2023 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas, with her family by her side.
Betty was born on March 1, 1933, in Russell. She was the daughter of Rudolph George and Mabelle (Britt) Balloun. She spent the first year of her life in Gorham, Kansas. Thereafter, her family moved to Russell. Betty was baptized in Trinity United Methodist Church. She grew up and attended schools in Russell; graduating from Russell High School in 1951. Betty then attended and graduated from Central Business College in Denver, Colorado. She went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation in Denver. Betty returned to Russell in December 1953. In March 1954, she met and fell in love with Dean H. Boxberger. After a 7-week courtship, they were united in marriage on May 16, 1954, in St. John Lutheran Church. From this union, they were blessed with five sons; Matthew, Mark, Thomas, Timothy and Scott. Betty joined and was confirmed in St. John Lutheran Church. While their sons were growing up, Betty chose to be a stay-at-home Mom. She enjoyed being the room mother, cub scout den mother, 4-H Leader, and volunteering in any activity that her family was involved with. Throughout her life she did secretarial work for the Bureau of Reclamation; Sohio Oil company; Harold McCombs, Attorney; Ostrum & Balloun, Attorneys; St. John Lutheran Church; Russell High School; State Farm Insurance; and Russell County Extension Office. She also worked many years for USD 407 as a special education paraprofessional. Betty loved music and played the piano during many of her younger years. She loved God and was strong in her faith. She was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, serving on the Altar Guild, in the Sunday School, Prayer Shawl Ministry, member of Martha Circle, and several other volunteer jobs in her church and community. She was treasurer for the Russell Roughriders and treasurer and board member of the Russell County Food Pantry. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Her greatest joy was her family. Betty and Dean shared 69 years of marriage. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and traveling with her family. She enjoyed cooking, knitting, bowling, playing bridge and crafts.
Betty’s surviving family include her husband Dean of the home; sons, Matthew Boxberger (Genevieve) of San Jose, California, Mark Boxberger (Amy) of Noblesville, Indiana, Thomas Boxberger (Sheri) of Lawrence, Kansas, Timothy Boxberger (Dylan Palma) of Russell, Kansas and Scott Boxberger (Desiree) of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren, George, Joe, Betsy, Jakob, Elyse, Gretchen, Cassie, Joshua, and Jenna; great grandson, Rami; brother, Gene Balloun (Sheila Wombles) of Lenexa, Kansas; step sister, Joanne Grandstaff (Carl) of Hoisington, Kansas; several nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, George R. Balloun, Lloyd L. Balloun and Robert Balloun; sister-in-laws, Violetta Balloun, Nancy Balloun, Pat Balloun and Patty Balloun.
Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 29, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday, July 28, 2023 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Balloun Family Scholarship Fund or St. John Lutheran Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.