Betty Rose Merryman

Betty Rose Merryman, 94, Topeka, passed away Saturday, February 25, 2017, at Healthcare Resort of Topeka, comforted with love as she was surrounded by her family. Betty was born April 7, 1922, in Frankfort KS, the daughter of Joseph and Leona Becker Haefele. She graduated from Capitol Catholic High School (now Hayden Catholic High School) in 1940. She attended St. Mary College and graduated with her RN from St. Francis School of Nursing. Betty was a nurse for the Hanford Project in Washington. After World War II, Betty worked as a nurse at the Topeka State Hospital, where she met the love of her life, Norman Merryman. They were united in marriage in 1947 in Topeka. He preceded her death in 1989. Betty worked as a surgical nurse at St. Francis Hospital. She helped open and worked in the first intensive care unit in Topeka, at Stormont-Vail Health Center. Betty also had her own private practice, was a nursing instructor and was head nurse at the Topeka State Hospital in the children’s psychiatric ward, where she retired in 1985. Betty was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post #1650, the St. Francis Nursing Association and was a member of Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church. Betty loved to travel and was fortunate to travel extensively with her husband, Norman, throughout the United States and Europe. Betty and Norman also enjoyed ballroom dancing. She loved all things green and growing, spending many hours tending to and enjoying her plants and flowers, but most of all she loved her family. Betty was a devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Grateful to have shared her life are her children, Jerry Merryman (Deana), Topeka and Diane Wilkin (Bob), Burlingame; daughter-in-law, Kathy Merryman, Topeka; grandchildren, Jim (John), Justin (Jaimee), Amy (Brett), John (Amanda), Marc (Mandy), Brandy (John), Jeff (Christine) and Jessica; eight great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard Haefele (Beverly), Ulysses KS and Jay Haefele (Faye), Merriam; sister, Mary Dunham, Kansas City MO; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was also preceded in death by her parents; son, James Michael Merryman in 2010; siblings, Carol Lee Haefele, Edwin Haefele, Cecil Robinson, Jack Haefele, Ethel Jacobs and Max Haefele. Family will greet friends from 11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, with a Celebration of Betty’s Life following at 12:30 p.m. Inurnment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Mater Dei Parish or Grace Hospice, sent in care of the funeral home.

Betty Rose Merryman

April 7, 1922 - February 25, 2017