Betty Jo Sheafor

Betty Jo "Bo" Sheafor died unexpectedly of a heart condition after a brief stay at Stomont-Vail Hospital. She died on February 3rd, 2006, at 10:16 AM. surrounded by her loving family and friends within a circle of light and prayer.
Bo was born in Liberal, Kansas, on June 6, 1935, to Louie S. Lemert and Mildred Shay Lemert. She was the older sister to Annette Louise Lemert-Larrabee and James Rex Lemert. She graduated from Liberal High School in 1953. Bo attended Cottey College in Nevada, MO, after which she completed her Bachelor of Nursing Degree at Kansas University in 1957. Following graduation she was an instructor of Public Health Nursing at KU Medical Center.
Betty Jo Lemert was married to Dr. Douglas Dean Sheafor on the winter solstice December 21, 1958. Their three children are William Bramhill "Bram" Sheafor of Longmont, CO, Nathan David Sheafor of Grants Pass, OR, and Alison Elizabeth Sheafor-Joy of Arlington, WA. The family has lived in the Potwin neighborhood of Topeka, KS, since 1963.
Many have been touched by Bo's generosity, service, and compassion. In this spirit, her reach extended to the international community. She was past president of the Topeka Chapter of the American Field Service. She expanded her family by hosting numerous international students and teachers including Baili, Nan, and Benjy, Zhang of Topeka. Bo belonged to Chapter EP of the PEO Sisterhood. She was a board member of the Cross-Cultural Studies Program, past co-chairman and board member for the Council Grove Conference, charter member of International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine, and Program Committee member for the 2005 ISSSEEM conference. She was also a supporter of the Topeka Natural Foods Co-op for over 25 years. She was partnered with her brother and sister in the family farming and ranching business of B. H. Lemert & Sons and Millie Corp.

Bo and Alison established the AlBo Glass Studio at her home in 1991. Her love for glass art was reflected in her beautiful and colorful designs created at AlBo Glass. She was passionately dedicated to managing AlBo Glass and especially enjoyed developing friendships and connections in the art community both locally and worldwide.
A visitation with the family will be held at Penwell-Gabel Midtown Chapel on Tuesday, February 7th from 6:00-8:00 PM. Funeral services will be at Grace Cathedral on Wednesday, February 8th at 1:00 PM. A reception will follow at the family home of 433 SW Woodlawn Ave from 3:00-6:00 PM. Cremation is planned with her ashes to be scattered at the Lemert Family Ranch near Liberal, KS.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.