Betty Lou (Sill) Schechinger – age 90, of Hutchinson, Kansas in the early morning of
March 17, 2019, Betty was reunited with family and friends awaiting her in God’s
kingdom.
She was born March 30, 1928, the second child of George H. and Myrtle Mae (Cox)
Sill, of rural Odebolt, Iowa. She married Carl H. Schechinger on November 16, 1953, in
Carroll, Iowa. They celebrated their 65 th anniversary on November 16, 2018. Carl and
Betty lived in Omaha from November 1953 to June 1957. While there they co-owned
and operated the Ten Mile Inn, a restaurant, gas station and motel.
During her childhood and school years, Betty, and her family lived on a farm near
Ralston, Iowa. She graduated from Glidden High School in 1946. After high school, she
attended St. Anthony School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa, graduating in 1949. Following
nurses training, Betty worked for Dr. A. Reas Anneberg, in Carroll, and the VA Hospital
in Omaha, Nebraska.
Betty’s 45-year nursing career included private-duty nursing; Kansas Neurological
Institute in Topeka, Ks; St. Anthony Hospital (Obstetrics) in Hays, Ks; and 19 years at
The Medical Center as a pediatric nurse for Dr. David Tweito in Hutchinson, Ks. She
retired from nursing in 1994.
Betty dearly loved gardening, fishing, camping, trying new recipes, making Holiday
treats, such as rosettes and divinity. While in Colby, she also rescued many unwanted
farm animals. Betty never hesitated to assist neighbors in need and was affectionately
recognized by many community members, who knew her as children. She modeled
compassion, honesty, friendship, morality and a committed work ethic. Betty was a
parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Hutchinson, Kansas for 45 years.
Survivors include her husband, Carl H. Schechinger, of the home; four daughters,
Mary Smith and husband, Bernard, Hutchinson, KS; Lou Ann Geist and husband Gary,
Hays, KS; Peggy Potter and husband, Dick Ness City, KS; and Janet Mishler and
husband, Brian Arnold, KS; eight grandchildren: Lindsay Kubina and husband, Tony;
Aaron Smith; Emily Palmer and husband, Nick; Brandon Geist; Kelly Geist; Alison
Nuttle and husband, Jesse; Michelle Geist; Braden Mishler; six great-grandchildren, Gage
Smith; Gracie Palmer; Brinley Smith; Liam Nuttle; Lyla Nuttle; and Claire Kubina.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Russell Dean Sill.
A funeral mass celebrating Betty’s life will be at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, March 21,
2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 West 13 th Street, Hays, Kansas. Burial will be at
St. Joseph Cemetery, Hays, Kansas.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Thursday, at St. Joseph
Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to The Reins of Hope (therapeutic
horseback riding program) of Hutchinson, Kansas in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of
Hays, 1919 East 22 nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchaples or can be sent
via e-mail to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net.