Elizabeth Bessette

Elizabeth Linda Kantack Bessette “Liz” was born September 28, 1944, to Frank and Odella in Clifton, Kansas. She grew up on a farm in an environment that taught discipline, hard work, faith in Jesus, and the importance of family. Liz attended school in Clifton and graduated from Clifton High School in 1962. She then attended Marymount College in Salina and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May 1967. She started her career as a registered nurse in Salina at St. John’s hospital. During her senior year of high school, she met and fell in love with Jerry Patrick Bessette. They were united in marriage on October 29, 1966, in Clifton. Soon thereafter, Jerry was relocated, and Liz began work in Topeka, Kansas at St. Francis Hospital. Liz stayed there for the next 45 years working in multiple roles including ICU Nurse Manager, House Supervisor, and Assistant Director of Nursing. She spent the last 10 years of her career doing some of her finest work at St. Francis as the first Nurse Navigator for patients with cancer in the state of Kansas. Liz retired from St. Francis Hospital in 2014 but continued her service to the community as a volunteer in the both the gift shop, working alongside her husband Jerry, and in the surgery waiting area. Both Jerry and Liz were recognized for their contributions to the community at the St. Francis Caritas Ball in 2015. Liz was a woman of deep, wonderful faith. As a devout Catholic, Liz was a founding member of Christ the King Catholic Church and served as a eucharistic minister. She participated in weekly adoration in the wee hours of Tuesday mornings ever since its inception. Liz’s hobbies included daily mass and prayers, sharing coffee with friends on her porch, daily rosary reflections and traveling to visit grandchildren in North Carolina and Kansas City, as well as relatives located throughout Kansas and Nebraska. However, as anyone who had the gift of crossing paths with Liz knew, her #1 hobby was service. She was most happy sharing her time and talent in the service of others. Her generosity was overwhelming and endless. She lived and gave life to the motto “You never get less than what you give.” Her treasured mission on Earth was to make saints of as many people as possible. Liz was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Odella; two infant sisters, Catherine and Cecilia, an infant brother, Franklin, and an older brother, Gayle. Those family members who survive Liz’s death are a testament to the significance of Liz’s life. Liz held numerous roles and titles and has positively impacted so many people’s lives. She left a positive mark on every life she touched. Liz was a wife, survived by her husband of 57 years, Jerry. Liz was a mother, survived by her daughter, Angela, and her son, Jeffrey. Liz was a mother-in-law, survived by her son-in-law Michael and daughter-in-law Deborah. Liz was a grandmother, survived by six grandsons, Matthew, Sean, Christopher, Jacob, Ethan, and Benjamin. Liz was a sister, survived by eight sisters and one brother, Janet, Theresa, Marilyn, Mike, Emagene, Carolyn, Donna, Zita, and Michele. Liz was a sister-in-law survived by four brothers-in-law and one sisters-in-law. Liz was an aunt, survived by 34 nieces and nephews. Elizabeth Linda Kantack Bessette…To all the friends and family who knew her, cared for her and loved her, she will be dearly missed but never forgotten! May she Rest in Peace. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th Street, Topeka KS 66614, where a Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the Church. Entombment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Elizabeth Bessette

September 28, 1944 - September 13, 2023