Betty Louise Rathbun, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family at her home in Ellsworth. She was born Jan. 18, 1930, in Sapulpa, Okla., to William “Dan” and Ada (Moore) Stockstill.

On March 18, 1949, Betty married Ronald K. Rathbun in Ellsworth. Together, they built a life rooted in the land, managing farm and ranch operations in Ellsworth County. They were married for 73 years before Ronald passed in 2022. She was a devoted member of the Ellsworth Methodist Church, and a 75-plus year member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

She is survived by her sons, Randall Rathbun (Adriene), Wichita, Kan.; Cory Rathbun (Cheryl), Ellsworth, Kan.; and Clay Rathbun (Theresa), Westwood, Kan.; daughter Lori Rathbun Kerr (Rick), Denver, Colo.; 10 grandchildren, Zach, Josh, Kelsea, Brett, Jarrod, Mallory, Alex, Madeline, Daniel and Bradley; and seven great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Noah, Tyler Rose, Poppy, Shiloh, Archie and Saffron “Ronnie.” She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Ronald; grandson Tyler Robert Rathbun; brothers William “Stanley,” John “Homer,” Bobby and Fred Stockstill; and sisters Dorothy LeDoux and Doris Dorsey.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Ellsworth Methodist Church. A private family inurnment will take place prior to the service at Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ellsworth Methodist Church or the Smoky Hill Community Foundation in care of Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439. Condolences may be shared at parsonsfh.com.