TOPEKA — Betty Jo Burris, 95, of Topeka, a former Parsons resident, died Wednesday morning, March 12, 2005, in Topeka. She lived a long and full life surrounded by loving family and friends.
She was born June 3, 1929, at Robinson to F.P. and Mary Elizabeth (Lind) Korthanke. She grew up on the family farm and attended local schools, graduating from Hiawatha High School. While in high school, she earned a private pilot’s license becoming one of the few women of that era to do so. Later she graduated from the Clarke Business College in Topeka.
She was married to Donald J. O’Toole from 1947 to 1960. They had two children, Kathleen and Michael O’Toole. She lived in Hiawatha and Topeka before moving to Parsons in 1968 where she worked as a court reporter/transcriptionist for Labette County District Court for over 25 years.
Betty Jo married Jack D. Burris on Oct. 15, 1975, in Parsons at the former Central Avenue Christian Church. She was active in the church, sang in the choir and directed the bell choir. In 1994, she and Jack relocated to Topeka to be closer to family and became members of the West Side Christian Church. Jack was a founder in the Burris-Wall Funeral Home in Parsons and preceded her in death on Dec. 10, 2002. She was actively involved with her grandchildren, who lovingly called her Grandma Birdie after she rescued an injured canary. She was adored by grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors and often entertained them with her taffy-pulling skills.
For the past 10 years, Betty Jo has been lovingly cared for by her grandsons, Darin Stephens and Brian Laird, along with Ethan Hawkins in their home.
Survivors include her daughters, Kathleen Zimmerman of Topeka, Diana Burris Webre (Jerry) of Grove, Oklahoma; a daughter-in-law, Pam O’ Toole Trusdale (Tom) of Topeka; six grandchildren, Darin Stephens (Brian Laird) of Topeka, Brad Stephens (Karen) of Grove, Oklahoma, Jennifer Dunn (Johnny) of Baxter Springs, Erin English (John) of Lenexa, Shannon Mason of Topeka and Michael O’Toole (Kajsa) of Salt Lake City, Utah; 17 great-grandchildren; hree great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son, Col. Michael J. O’Toole, on Aug. 8, 2003; brothers, Bob, Glenn and Philip Korthanke; and a sister, Dorothy Kennedy.
The family will receive friends at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at West Side Christian Church in Topeka followed by the memorial service at 3 p.m. A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 17, at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons.
The family suggests memorials to West Side Christian Church, 432 S.W. Lindenwood Ave., Topeka, KS, 66606; Midland Hospice Care, 200 S.W. Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS, 66606; or BraidedHaven.org.
The Carson-Wall Funeral Home of Parsons is in charge of arrangements. Leave online messages at www. wallfuneralservices. com.
