Betty Jett
July 24, 1941 ~ April 16, 2024
Betty Jett, 82, passed away on April 16, 2024, after a long and cruel battle with dementia in the last few years. She was born near Pretty Prairie, KS on July 24, 1941, to parents, Alveda (O’Brien) and Charles Mumma.
While her Mom worked for the Coleman company in Wichita during the week, Betty and her sister, Peggy, were raised by Ed and Mabel O’Brien and couldn’t wait for her Mom to come home on the weekends. Betty adored her town of Pretty Prairie, her chickens at home, the sidewalk rail on which she would do flips, the shop where she worked as a soda jerk, the dances she planned and the annual night rodeo.
She graduated from Pretty Prairie High School in 1959. After high school, she studied at Hutchinson Junior College graduating in 1961 with an Associate’s Degree. Soon after, Betty began working at Metropolitan Life and was promoted to Office Manager in 1969. She was always proud of having a team to lead, and her ethics drove her.
She married Dale Havercroft in 1962 and had 18 years together. During that time, they lost a son, Jason (stillbirth). A year later, Jennifer was born. Their early years were spent going to school and setting the building blocks of their future. Betty always wanted to be a mother, and Jeni was her pride and joy. They would bake, dance in the car, take bike rides, plan for holidays, watch Golden Girls, and she always supported Jeni in her dreams and goals. This joy swelled when she became a Mother-in-Law (Greg in 2005) and Grandma to Keaton (2009) and Vaughn (2011). She loved reading and playing with her grandkids, took them to parks, attended school Grandparent days, could not wait for holidays to celebrate, baked chocolate chip cake with chocolate chip frosting for all visits, and adored them always.
Betty was an 80’s realtor and built a successful career that lasted 40 years. She started with Colonial Realtors and was proud to later work with Jay Russell, Bryan Lagaly, Elegant Homes, and finally moving to Plaza Real Estate for the last 20 years of her proud career. Betty felt her clients were family, and customer service was her superpower. She cared about everyone with whom she came in contact - family, friends, church members, clients, strangers at the QT where she filled her diet caffeine free Coke each day.
Betty married Leonard Jett, and they had 14 years together. Her career continued to grow as she surpassed sales goals each year. She made President’s Club 11 years and Master’s Circle 10 years. She gained 3 bonus step-kids (Tim, Vicki, and Chris) who she loved very much and became a step-Grandma to 8 kids for the first time.
Betty continued to excel in her career and dedicated more time to her church family. She was a charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wichita, KS. She volunteered in the nursery, was a Youth Group leader and took the group skiing in Colorado. She sat on the Finance and Pastor Parrish committees, worked in the kitchen, helped with vacation bible school, and found a new passion later in life as a member of the bell choir.
In 1999, she reconnected with a fellow charter member of Aldersgate, Ken Schnurr, and they married. Betty and Ken had 23 years together and enjoyed life together. She gained another 3 wonderful step-kids, 10 step-grandkids, and expanding great-grandkids. While her workload slowed in the later years, she and Ken filled time playing canasta, volunteering at Aldersgate and baking way too many sweets for anyone showing up at their house.
Betty would say she had a good life and loved being a mom, grandmother, wife, daughter, step-mom, sister, aunt, colleague, member of her church, realtor, and friend.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Ken Schnurr; her parents, Alveda and Charles Mumma; and her stillborn son, Jason.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Jennifer, (son-in-law, Greg); and granddaughters, Keaton and Vaughn; step-kids Joel (Tami) Schnurr, Robert (Sonya) Schnurr, Jackie (Brad) Heyen; step-grandkids, Josh (Ashley), Travis, Serena (Ken), Marissa (Gary), Andrew, Alyssa, Bryce (Cynthia), Taylor (Nicole), Eric, Madeline (Josh); and many loved great-grandkids who always brought a smile to her heart. And also her sister, Peggy and family.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at 1:00 pm at Lone Star Cemetery, Pretty Prairie, KS. In honor of Betty, please feel free to wear your favorite animal print.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 7901 E. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS 67205. Donations will go towards children’s programs and bell choir.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
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In 2012, our family was relocated to Wichita Kansas. Our wonderful realtor from Las Vegas introduced us to Mrs. Betty Jett. The very first moment we met her, our lives changed for ever and she became grandma Betty instantly. She invited us to Aldersgate Methodist Church where it became our church. We loved the church and the congregation so much we had both of our children baptized. The seven years we lived in Kansas, Grandma Betty and Grandpa Ken never missed our babies birthdays or any special moments our family had. We used to love coming to their house every Halloween so they could see our kid’s costumes and we enjoyed trick or treating in their neighborhood. We miss those days and we miss them very much. The Lord blessed us with Grandma Betty and Grandpa Ken and we will always be grateful for all of our beautiful memories we shared together. We will cherish our time with them. Until we meet again Grandma Betty, we pray that you are in heaven. We love you very much, say hello to Grandpa Ken for us.