Elsabeth Spalsbury Obituary

Elsabeth M. Spalsbury

Elsabeth M. Spalsbury died peacefully on December 16, 2013. She was 100 years old. She was born on April 3, 1913, and lived a long and beautiful life. She will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clark Stanley Spalsbury, the love of her life, her parents, her brothers and her sisters.

She is survived by two children, Clark Stanley Spalsury, Jr., and Margaret Ann Spalsbury Basler and her husband George Monroe Basler. Betty is also survived by ten grandchildren; Micahel Sean Basler and wife Tresia; Christopher Beau Basler and wife Heather; Jennifer Leigh Basler Williams and husband Landon; Libby Riggins and husband Luke; Lori Spalsburry; and James Spalsbury. She had twelve great grandchildren, who called her "grandma the great", which she was. These include; Ethan Beau Basler, Bradi Cheyenne Basler; Ella Marie Basler; Peyton Sean Basler; Margaret elaine Mardis; Elise Riggins; Harrison Stephen Mardis; Joseph Riggins; Estes Clark Basler; Davita Riggins; Finn Monroe Williams; and Oliver Landon Williams.

She was born Elsabeth May James and was the sixth child of Araminta Pearl Palmer James and William Frederick Johnson James.

Betty was so lucky to have her sister Margaret and her husband's sister Margaret as not only sisters, but as her best friends, along with Gertrude Barton, who was a special friend/sister. Family was a priority for Betty and she loved her many nieces and nephews as if they were her own children.

Betty became interested in Girl Scouts at an early age ago due to her dear friend Gertrude. She was active in Girl Scouts for most of her life.

Betty went to college at Emporia State Teachers College in the winter semesters and to the University of Iowa in the summer semesters, graduating from Emporia State Teachers College in 1935. After graduation, she taught in a one-room school near Ellingwood, Kansas.

On August 31, 1941, she married Clark S. Spalsbury in Cherryvale, Kansas, where her parents lived. They were married for 41 years.

Betty loved teaching and taught her entire life, teaching in small towns at first, but then teaching in Leavenworth, Kansas, Salina, Kansas; and finally in Lawrence, Kansas. She received her Master's degree from Emporia State while teaching in Salina, Kansas.

Betty has lived in Lawrence, Kansas, since 1967 and was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church.

Betty loved traveling and traveled the world. When at home, she spent her time with family, even driving cross country by herself to visit on many occasions. She crocheted like a professional and left many sweaters and blankets for friends and family. Later in life, her passion became bridge and she played in many local bridge groups in Lawrence, Kansas, and with friends, sometimes playing late into the night. She even earned Master points.

Betty was a strong, intelligent, kind, generous, fun-loving, family-oriented, wonderful woman, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, grandma the great, friend and partner. We miss her!(Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com Arrangements: Porter Funeral Home & Crematory, 1835 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, KS (913) 621-6400)

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