Betty Jo Miller, 101, passed away November 24, 2023 at Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence, Kansas. She was born on a farm near Early, Iowa, on April 1, 1922, to Meryl and Helen Wadsley. She always enjoyed telling people she had a foolish birthday, having been born on April Fools Day. She attended elementary and high school in Early, and was valedictorian of her high school graduating class.

She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education from Iowa State University, and later received a Master of Education degree from Arizona State University. She taught school briefly after graduating, and married Bryce Miller in 1945. Bryce took a job with Doane Agricultural Services, and they moved from Iowa to Quincy, Illinois, where sons Rick and Mike were born. In 1952 the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, so that Bryce could advance his farm management career in the arid southwest. Daughter Mary was born in Phoenix.

In Phoenix, Betty Jo was always active, whether as a piano teacher, church leader, choir member, scout leader, bridge player or seamstress. She was involved with the Phoenix Symphony Guild, the Phoenix Cotton Wives, and Urban Ministries. She was a member of the PEO sisterhood since 1954. After Bryce died in 1973, she pined for her beloved Midwest and moved back to Iowa in 1977, unfortunately committing the unpardonable sin of throwing away her sons' baseball card collection when she moved.

She moved to Lawrence in 1979 to be near her sister, and instantly fell in love with Lawrence. She lived near the University and found great joy in hosting international graduate students, opening her home to them. She continued to maintain relationships with many foreign students and even travelled to Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore to visit some in their home countries. She taught piano out of her home for many years and loved all her students. She was an excellent seamstress and sewed everything from doll clothes to quilts to tailored suits. She was actively involved with First United Methodist Church, PEO, Douglas County Home Economists, Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity, the Lawrence Music Club, the Salvation Army Auxiliary, and her Bridge Club. She continued to be part of a chamber music ensemble, Sine Nomine, even after she moved into Assisted Living. She lived at Presbyterian Manor for over 20 years and loved everything about the Manor.

Betty Jo loved all people, never met a stranger, and lived a life of gratitude. She is predeceased by her husband Bryce Miller, her brothers Ivan Wadsley and Dick Wadsley, her sister Arla Clyatt, and her daughter-in-law, Adele DuBourg Miller. She is survived by her son Rick Miller; her son Mike Miller and wife Diane; her daughter Mary Bullis and husband Paul; her granddaughter Natalie Juneau and husband Peyton; her granddaughter Lee Bullis, her grandson David Bullis and wife Alesha Rimmelin; her great-granddaughter Rosemary Bullis, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Betty Jo will be held at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont, in Lawrence, on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at 11:00 am. Memorial gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lawrence Journal-World on Nov. 28, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Betty Miller

2 Entries

Julie W.

November 30, 2023

I met Betty Jo maybe once, but knew of her and her many accomplishments through her grand-niece Marie, who loved her immensely. My condolences to all of Betty's family many friends.

Mary Margaret Rowen

November 29, 2023

Several years ago, the Journal World had a feature called "Only in Lawrence." This is what I submitted:

Which of the Betty Jo Millers shall I tell about? The Home Economics grad from Iowa State University? The mother of three children, one son a retired prison worker, one son a lawyer and one daughter a United Methodist minister? The member of First United Methodist Church where she has served on building committees and provides leadership for the Adult Fellowship Sunday School and United Methodist Women? The lady who moved to Presbyterian Manor ten years ago and has served on committees to enhance the lives of residents there and plays piano for Chapel services?

Betty Jo was widowed at a young age and moved to Lawrence in 1978 to be near her sister, Arla Clyatt. Arla encouraged her to give piano lessons, which she did for about 20 years. Sometimes she had two or three children from a family and they all became her "family" because Betty Jo thought all children were wonderful and she was so encouraging. She gets invited to their weddings and graduations.

At the same time, she "adopted" foreign students from Iran, Japan and Thailand and provided a place of refuge, someone with whom to share their concerns as they sought their degrees at KU. She has traveled to China and Thailand. Many ladies have relied on Betty Jo for her sewing skills to do alterations for them.

Now Betty Jo continues her interest in music by welcoming a string ensemble into her two-bedroom apartment at the Manor once a week just to play for enjoyment. (No, her neighbors don't mind.) Although Betty Jo can play the clarinet, she plays the piano for this group of music enthusiasts, classical music that has accumulated since Jessie Branson started the group many years ago. She also is active in SAI, an honorary music fraternity and Lawrence Music Club. Betty Jo does not have a music degree, her music is just in her genes from a very musical family. Would you guess that Betty Jo is 90 years old?

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