Betty Jean Duling

Betty J. Duling, 97, longtime St. Paul resident, passed away the evening of Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Parsons Presbyterian Manor surrounded by all of her children.

Betty Jean Fager was born on December 7, 1926, to Henry and Genevieve (Crager) Fager in McCune, Kansas.  As a young girl, she grew up and attended school in the Walnut and St. Paul community, graduating from St. Francis High School in St. Paul in 1945.

Following high school, Betty moved to Parsons and worked at Hallmark Cards and Thompson's Ice Cream Shop.  On April 11, 1953, Betty and Thomas E. Duling were united in marriage at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul.  The couple farmed in rural Walnut, until Thomas passed away on March 17, 1999.  Betty moved to St. Paul in 2000, where she lived until moving to Parsons Presbyterian Manor in June 2023.

She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul and the Altar Society.  Faith and family were center of Betty's life.  She loved cooking and baking – all from scratch - for family, friends and the farmhand crews.  She also enjoyed gardening, tending her yard and caring for her flowers.  Her greatest joy came from spending time with and caring for her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include:

Four sons – Mike Duling and his wife, Barb, of Walnut, Kansas

Dennis Duling and his wife, Darlene, of St. Paul, Kansas

Greg Duling and his wife, Nancy, of Wichita, Kansas

Kevin Duling and his wife, Paula, of Hepler, Kansas

Four daughters – Maggie Westhoff and her husband, Dennis, of St. Paul, Kansas

Beth Westhoff and her husband, Tom, of Erie, Kansas

Cathy Burke and her husband, Dan, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Joanie Burke and her fiancé, Dion Thompson, of Frontenac, Kansas

21 grandchildren

39 great-grandchildren

18 step-great-grandchildren

One sister – Barbara Whitworth of Laguna Beach, California

Numerous nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Duling; three great-grandchildren, Peyton Duling, Chase Cosby, and Carter Roberts; 12 siblings, Rita Ross, Aggie Vansmiddlesworth, George "Sonny" Fager, John Fager, Joe Fager, Doyle Fager, Donald "Pete" Fager, and five infants.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul.  Burial will follow at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Walnut.  The rosary will be prayed at 10:00 a.m., before the Mass at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Carter Tough Foundation.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS  67357.