Betty Elaine Beam, 65, of Holton, passed away Thursday, December 14, 2006 at a Topeka hospital. She was born March 2, 1941 in Holton, the daughter of Harlan and Faye (Bontrager) Bohnenkemper. She attended Lone Star Grade School and graduated from Whiting High School in 1959. She later graduated from Emporia State Teacher's College in 1963 and received her Masters Degree in Library Science in 1969.
Betty taught English at USD 501 in Topeka for 3 years and then substitute taught at Wetmore until she moved to Holton in 1970. She taught at Jackson Heights High School for 30 years and served in a number of capacities, including English teacher, computer instructor, librarian, pep club sponsor and national honor society advisor. She also taught swimming lessons in Holton where she served as director of the Red Cross Swimming Program for many years.
Betty was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Holton. She was a member of the LWML and served as secretary of the AAL Chapter at the church for many years. She served as secretary of the local chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for the past 4 years and also served as Sunday school teacher. She was a 4-H Leader and served as president of the Jackson County Fair Board. Betty was also a member of the Quilting Guild for a number of years.
She was married to Lyle L. Beam on August 20, 1961 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Holton. He survives. She is also survived by her son, Jon W. Beam and his wife, Michelle of Vancouver, WA, her daughter, Jolene F. Schlossman and her husband, Martin of Topeka, KS, her sister, Beverly Baxter of Holton, her brothers, Gary and Gaylen Bohnenkemmper both of Holton and her grandchildren, Olivia and Marshall Beam and Hope and Matthew Schlossman. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Martin Schlossman III in 1997.
Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Holton. Interment will be in Holton Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday evening at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church Education Fund c/o Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.