Betty J. Ellison

Betty Jane Ellison, 83, of Topeka, passed away October 1, 2009, at Brewster Place. She was born July 2, 1926, in Topeka, KS, the daughter of Earl and Jennie Liggett Gudd. On January 25, 1946, she married Richard Ellison in Topeka, KS. He survives.

Betty had lived in the Topeka area all her life and was a 1944 graduate of Topeka High School. She was employed as a secretary of Veterans Affairs with the State of Kansas for 2 years, a secretary with Quinton Heights School for 10 years, and served as a Committee Secretary with the Kansas Legislature for 10 years.

She is survived by her husband, Richard D. Ellison of Topeka; sons, Lanny D. Ellison of Arizona and David K. Ellison of Shawnee; grandsons, Eric and Devin Ellison; granddaughter, Caitlin Ellison; great-grandchildren Eli and Seth Ellison; and step-mother, Lena Gudd. She was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Dale Gudd.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel. Interment will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum. Betty will lie in state after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave., P.O. Box 8550, Topeka, KS 66608 .