Betty J. Wilder, 76, Hays, died Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at her home.
She was born February 18, 1940 in Lexington, Nebraska the daughter of James and Verna (Rasmussen) Byrns. She graduated from Lexington High School in 1958. On September 13, 1958 she married James E. “Jim” Wilder in Lexington. He preceded her in death on April 14, 2000. She was an oil company bookkeeper and also for Living Independently in Northwest Kansas or LINK, Inc. for many years. She volunteered her time at the Cancer Council of Ellis County and served on their Board of Directors for ten years. She enjoyed playing piano her whole life, was a master at painting ceramics, and greatly loved her grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons; Terry James Wilder and wife Deb of Greensburg, Kansas, and Alan Dale Wilder of Haviland, KS, a daughter; Cynthia Louise “Cindy” Thayer and husband James of Hays, three grandchildren; Phillip Thayer of Hays, Heather Werth and husband Kirk of Victoria, and Ian Hess of Greensburg, two great grandchildren; Kassii Werth and Chase Werth, both of Victoria, two brothers; Jimmy Byrns and wife Phyllis and Robert Byrns and wife Jan, all of Lexington, NE, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Funeral services will be announced at a later date. Memorials are suggested in Betty’s memory to the Cancer Council of Ellis County, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, KS 67601. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.