Elizabeth A. "Betty" Schoech

Elizabeth "Betty" (Corley) Schoech, 79, of Columbus, passed away at 5:24 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2018 at Mercy Hospital in Columbus, Kansas.

Betty was born May 1, 1938 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to H. Jack and Elizabeth Margaret (Oliver) Corley.  As a young girl, Betty grew up and attended schools in Tulsa where she was a 1956 graduate of Tulsa Central High School.  Following high school, she attended UMKC School of Dentistry where she received Dental Hygiene training.  While attending school, she met her husband to be, Donald R. Schoech and they were married December 27, 1957 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The couple initially lived in Kansas City until Don graduated from Dental School.  After a brief stay in Denver, Colorado, Don and Betty moved to Columbus in the fall of 1960 where they established their roots and began raising their family.

Betty considered being a mother and a homemaker her primary purpose in life.  In her early years, she was involved in the St. Rose Altar Society and volunteered her time as a CCD teacher and at the Catholic school before it closed.  She was active in 4-H as a cooking and sewing leader, and for many years worked in the Girl Scout organization where she served as treasurer until recently.  Betty enjoyed golf and was instrumental in sharing her love of the game with youth by helping to establish the Columbus Jr. Golf Program.  When not involved in youth activities, Betty loved her duties on the farm, which she considered a "gift from God" after being raised in the city of Tulsa.  She enjoyed gardening and canning, fishing, raising pigs, milking cows and making cream & butter, which "enriched" her wonderful pies, cakes and cookies she was known for making.  As Betty's children grew, she branched out her interests of cooking and was the co-owner of the 3 Stewges Catering Company with her husband Don and friend Paula Andrews, catering many weddings and parties. Betty also worked in her husband Don's office until he retired in 2010. Other groups Betty was involved with over the years included The Columbus Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and she was a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was also a member of the Citizens Review Board for Cherokee County that monitored foster care placements.   Betty was a devout Catholic and a member of Mother of God Parish in Oswego, Kansas.  She was a very active member of her parish family whom she loved with all her heart and that love was returned.  She had a special devotion to the Rosary and made hundreds over the years for family, friends and missions.

Survivors include:

Two Sons – David Schoech and his wife, Kathy, of Columbus, KS

Matthew Schoech of Joplin, MO

Two Daughters – Pam Overman and her husband, Rocky, of Columbus, KS

Linda Wary of Pittsburg, KS

Twelve Grandchildren – Libby McFarland, Samantha Overman, Maddy Foster, Andrew Schoech, Kasey Schoech, Alex Wary, Kate Bole, Ryleigh Schoech, A.J. Wary, Keaton Schoech, Joseph Schoech, and Abby Schoech

Five Great-Grandchildren – Piper Overman, Maxwell McFarland, Jackson McFarland, Kennedy Cunningham, Jordy Foster and baby Bole "on the way"

One Brother – Dr. Richard Corley and his wife Billie L Atwell, of Tulsa, OK

Also surviving Betty is her longtime friend Lucille McNemar of Columbus, Kansas.   Betty and Lucille would both say that they were sisters to one another.   That sisterhood, marked by loyalty and unconditional love inspired us all.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald R. Schoech, DDS, on April 25, 2017.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 18, 2018 at the Mother of God Catholic Church in Oswego.  The rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday at the church.  The family will receive friends at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the church following the rosary.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Mother of God Catholic Church or the Columbus Community Foundation.  These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com .