Elizabeth E. Dean

Elizabeth (Beth) Barnard Oliver Dean passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Aldersgate Village Home Plus in Topeka Kansas at the age of 93.

Beth was born March 31,1930, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Walter E. Barnard and Gladys Murphy Barnard. She attended Highland Park Rural Schools, graduating from Highland Park Rural High School in 1948. Beth attended the National College for Young Christian Women and Baldwin MYF Institute at Baldwin, Kansas. She later earned an associate degree from Washburn University.

Beth was baptized at the First Methodist Church of Topeka and became a member of the Highland Park Methodist Church as well as Crestview Methodist Church. She spent much of her adult life as a member of Countryside Methodist Church where she was a member at her passing. She sang in the choir and volunteered in Sunday school and summer bible school. She was a member of the United Methodist Women.

Beth married the love of her life William (Bill) J. Oliver at Highland Park Methodist Church in 1949. Their first date was a plane ride piloted by Bill after he, "a handsome older boy", asked her out while she was walking home from high school. They were married for 25 years until his death from leukemia.
She enjoyed boating, water skiing, camping, refinishing antique furniture, painting, dancing, genealogy, traveling, playing bridge, flying with Bill Oliver in planes and sail planes, watching her son play baseball, and listening to music especially jazz. Her favorite color was red, which she often wore, and was fastidious in her appearance and clothing. She never met a dessert or sweet she didn't like although it never impacted her figure.

Over the years she worked as a stenographer, secretary, executive secretary, switchboard operator, direct salesperson, and sales executive. Beth was employed by the State of Kansas, Independent Insurance Agents of Kansas, SARP, JC Penney and Stanley Home Products. Beth volunteered for several community organizations and charities. She was a Cub Scout Den mother and PTA mother.

Beth was a member and past president of the Topeka Insurance Women and a member of the National Association of Insurance Women, Kansas Association of Insurance Women, Kan-Kan Chapter of American Business Women, and the Topeka Public Relations Society.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Oliver in 1974. Also, by her sister Marilyn L. Fritts, brother Merle E. Barnard, nephew Montgomery Fritts, and husbands William R. West, Ken Bossler, and Billy E. Dean.

Survivors include her son Kenton (Kent) Oliver, his wife Dianne and a granddaughter, Allison of Nashville Tennessee, as well as nephews and nieces Barbara Barnard (Charles Waetzig), Mike Barnard (Kathy) and Rita Barnard of Topeka, Adelia Fritts Masella (Dennis) of Hollis New Hampshire, Walter Fritts of Petaluma California, and four great nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11:00am Friday, January 26, 2024 at Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 S.W. Burlingame Rd. Topeka, KS, with visitation an hour prior to service time. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, Kansas.

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