Obituary – Betty Oehlert Bidinger

Parts of the following article have been provided by Betty’s family

Known by many, her names were many: Honey, Mom, Grandma, Great-grandma, Sis, Betsy, Aunt Betty, Aunt Betsy, Betty O, and Betty B, just for a few. She loved family gatherings – whether it was a Swartz-Neuenswander gathering, or a Neuenswander gathering, or an Oehlert reunion, she loved “circling up” and coming together. This year of the pandemic was particularly difficult both for her and for those who loved to visit with her. As her memory declined in the past 20 years, she lost touch first with most recent memories, while holding close to those earlier memories. She spoke often of her siblings and “rocking Nancy to sleep in the bassinet which was set on the rocker”. She could recite the names of her children quickly from top to bottom, “John, Jane, Mary, Mike, Beth, Bill, Paul, Pat, Luke, Dan”. Even when names began to allude her, she held onto words to multiple verses of the old gospel hymns. When the words left, she hummed the tunes.

While her memories declined, her children’s memories of her were repeated frequently at family gatherings. Did you know that her house on the highway was “marked” to let the “hobos” know it was a safe place where they could count on a meal? She was known for saying “what are a couple more mouths to feed, there is always enough – and there was!”. She raised her 10 children, but she fed countless others using vegetables that she canned or froze every year from her exceptionally large gardens.

She loved visitors. She loved hosting parties. She never tired of people dropping by for a visit. Nieces or nephews could always count on a “goodie or two” when they dropped in for a visit. Holidays at home were crowded with kids and grandkids spread everywhere. No reservation – no problem. Find a bare spot on the floor and spend the night. She hosted high school class reunions, family reunions, and martin parties in her back yard.

And when she could no longer be the host, her sweet spirit kept shining on. The last 10 years, her home became Brandon Woods where she loved many and was loved by many. She was known for her sweet spirit and her gracious being. Even when she did not remember who you were, you were family and she loved you.

Born Bethany Louise Neuenswander on April 15, 1931, in Allen, KS, the daughter of Reverend Irvin and Bethany Swartz Neuenswander, Betty grew up with 7 sisters and 4 brothers. Their family moved every 3-4 years within Kansas and Texas following her father who was an itinerant pastor in the Methodist Church.

Betty fondly recalled attending early grade school in Spring Hill, KS, and graduating from Liberty Memorial High School (Lawrence, Kansas) in 1949. Following high school, she started nursing training at Bethany Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. A year later on September 9, 1951, she was married to Richard Carlyle Oehlert (1932-2010) in San Angelo, Texas. Together they had six sons and four daughters. They later divorced. On December 27, 1978, she was married to Franklin C. Bidinger (1926-2011) in Colony, Kansas. With that marriage, she welcomed into her family two stepsons, Michael Bidinger (1955-2009) and Kit Bidinger (1959-2019).

She worked in the nursing field for over twenty years retiring in 1996 as a nurse assistant at Watkins Hospital, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 1996. Bethany enjoyed music (in particular gospel songs), painting ceramics, arts and crafts, birds, gardening, and canning.

Throughout her life she remained actively involved in church life; as an adult, she attended Lawrence Free Methodist Church and then Clinton Presbyterian Church. She was known for her hospitality and care. Her love of Gaither’s music and the old hymns kept her company daily.

Survivors include four daughters: Janie Landau and husband Rex (Lawrence), Mary Oehlert (Kansas City), Beth Sherman and husband Roy (McPherson), and Pati Oehlert (Lawrence); six sons: John Oehlert and wife DeVonna (Lawrence), Maichel Oehlert (Round Rock, Texas), Bill Oehlert and wife Paula (LaPorte, Texas), Paul Oehlert and wife Kris (Lawrence), Luke Oehlert and wife Sheri (Lawrence) and Dan Oehlert (Eudora); 25 grandchildren: (Jason, Chad, Jennifer, Nathan, Amy, Lori, Andy, Heidi, Matthew, Ashley, Katie, Annie, Tim, Joe, Brady, Jake, Jessica, Ben, Samantha, Kasey, Kaylee, Chase, Dakota, Oliver, and Anika) and 40 great-grandchildren: (Norah, Cooper O., Ethan, Emily, Evan, Brooklyn, Eastyn, Reese, Olivia, Faith, Billy, Abigail, Austin, Hannah, Dillon, Katie, Jace, Allie, Makenzie, Maddie, Alex, Blaine, Eliam, Amaris, Anley, Jordan, Jentry, Jaykin, Jaxton, Lanay, Cooper S., Boston, Grace, Everett, Hunter, Haylen, Gaia, Vossen, Jules, and Bennett). She is survived by 1 sister: Ruth Farrell (Iola) and 2 brothers Bill Neuenswander and wife Anita (Baldwin City) and Dan Neuenswander and wife Connie (Topeka, KS) and hundreds that knew her as “Aunt Betty” or “Aunt Betsy”.

She was preceded in death by her parents Irvin and Bethany Neuenswander, her brothers Paul Neuenswander (San Diego) and John Neuenswander (Neosho, MO); her sisters Elizabeth Compton (Iola), Emily Grundy (Kansas City), Evelyn Bunnel (Colony), Helen Neuenswander (Guatemala), Nancy Ann Neuenswander (Welda, Kansas), and Jean Bubna (New York); her stepsons Mike and Kit Bidinger and her husbands, Franklin Bidinger and Richard Oehlert.

Betty’s family has an extensive history at CCCK. Daughters Mary Oehlert and Beth Sherman (Oehlert) attended and graduated from Central in ’74 and ’78, respectively, while son John Oehlert attended and graduated in ’72. Mary is a current member of Central’s Board of Trustees and Chair of the Board of the CCCK Foundation. Granddaughters Katie Sears (Sherman) and Bethany “Annie” Sorenson (Sherman) attended and graduated from Central in ’03 and ’06, respectively, while grandson Brady Sherman attended and graduated from Central in ’15.

President Favara expressed his sympathies, saying,

The CCCK family was saddened to hear of Betty Oehlert’s recent passing, though we rejoice with the family as they celebrate her home-going. The earthly legacy she leaves behind has yielded significant eternal rewards. Her love for Christ was evident, as was her avid support for the work of both the Church and the College. The direction and dedication of her life serves as an example of a life well invested.

Want to honor Bethany? She would encourage you to offer a meal to someone in need or invite someone into your home for a meal. Memorial contributions (in lieu of flowers) are encouraged to go to: Colony Community Church (founded by her parents), Clinton Presbyterian Church, or the Clinton Township Museum (Purple Martin Sanctuary), sent in care of the funeral home.

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS

Central Christian College of Kansas is a four-year collegiate institution that strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person through four core characteristics: heart, soul, mind, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about Central, go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.