Betty Jewell Freeman DeGarmo Lutz, 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, November 16, 2024, at Colonial Village in Overland Park, KS.

Betty was born in Lake City, KS, on April 25, 1929, to Susie and Lester Freeman. They preceded her in death, as did her three brothers and five sisters. She married Robert DeGarmo in 1947 in Macksville, KS, where they lived and raised four children, Chrissy (Tom) Hudson, Debbie (Kelly) Kephart, Jeff (Lynanne) DeGarmo, and Julie (Don) Burkhart. Robert, the love of her life, passed away in 1978, and Jeff, her favorite child (according to his sisters), in 2019. Fortunately, she found another love and married Eldon Lutz in 1982. Eldon passed away in 2011. Betty relocated to the Kansas City area in 2012 to be closer to children and grandchildren, where she lived until her death.

Betty devoted herself to being a homemaker until 1970 when she began working as a clerk for the United States Post Office. She later served as a home health aide for several years. A dedicated member of Macksville Christian Church, Betty was actively involved in numerous roles, including Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, Sunday school superintendent, deaconess, and board member. She also participated in the Christian Women’s Fellowship and especially cherished singing in the choir.

She was a wonderful cook and helped with many church dinners. Her butterscotch pies, cinnamon rolls, and homemade noodles were famous! Her unwavering faith sustained her through life’s challenges, including the loss of two husbands and a son. She often said that prayer was her greatest source of strength.

Above all, Betty cherished her family. She profoundly loved her four children and nine grandchildren and found immense joy in doting on her nineteen great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Betty will occur on November 30, 2024, at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the service will follow at 10:30 a.m. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Macksville Christian Church or Lenexa Baptist Church missions.

Interment of ashes will be in Farmington Cemetery, Macksville, KS at a later date.