Bette (Norton) Endres

Bette Endres

Bette Endres, 91, died Tuesday (Dec. 30, 2008) at Kansas Christian Home in Newton. She was born to Merle and Revilo Norton on Sept. 15, 1917, in Newton and lived there most of her life. She was known to many as 'Bette Red.' She married George J. Endres on March 29, 1946, and had one son, Jay 'Jim' Endres. Bette's natural and heart-warming communication skills put people at ease. She took over the 'family business' of Norton's Memorials, a company that designed and carved grave markers and headstones for Newton and the surrounding cemeteries for three generations.

Bette graduated from Newton High School in 1935 and was involved in helping organize annual class reunions. She also spent numerous years in leadership of the Newton PTA and the Newton 4-H Club, and she was a founding partner of the Newton Teen Center. She also organized and ran the annual Book Exchange.

She excelled at knitting and taught knitting in the Newton area for many years. She really enjoyed dancing, ranging from ballet as a young lady to line dancing in her later years. She organized various line dancing groups as part of her role in assisting with social activities for Spring Lake RV Park in Newton and Mission Canyon Lake RV Park in Mission/McAllen, Texas. She also became well known as a tour leader, developing mission outreach activities in rural Mexico.

Bette and George moved into the independent living part of Kansas Christian Home more than 15 years ago, and Bette moved into the nursing care unit about three years ago.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George, in 2008, and one brother.

She is survived by her son, Jay Endres and his wife, Bunnie, of Redwood City, Calif., as well as by many friends.

Visitation with family present will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Miller Funeral Home in Hesston.

Funeral service will be at 4 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. A brief memorial service will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Kansas Christian Home for the convenience of residents and staff who are unable to attend the funeral service.

A private burial will take place on Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Kansas Christian Home in care of the funeral home.