Betty Lou (Hunt) Gossard died on Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, surrounded by love, laughter, music, and her beloved family.
Betty was born on September 12, 1944, in Midland, Texas, to Jessie Lou (J.L.) Armstrong Hunt and Barton Louis Hunt. Betty’s sisters – Lynn, Gail, and Lee – were her first playmates, her lifelong best friends, and her partners in crime. The Hunt sisters were known all over Southeast Kansas, especially Betty. Her athleticism, friendly personality, competitiveness, and sense of humor made her a memorable presence in the classroom, on the ballfield, and in the community.
Betty met Roger Gossard in the 4th grade. A lifelong friendship began, and she finally agreed to go on a date the summer before sophomore year. B & R dated for 7 years (not counting the summers when Betty would break up with him) and married August 25,1967. Theirs is a love story for the ages.
Betty was a part of the class of 1962 at Field Kindley High School. It might be easier to list the activities she was NOT involved in, although some highlights include Drum & Bugle Corps, Band, Student Council, and Football Queen. She and Roger loved planning class reunions for years and kept in touch with so many classmates. Betty also attended and was a graduate of Coffeyville Community College and Pittsburg State University. If you knew Betty, you knew she was a Mom. She found so much joy in parenting Jennifer, Jeff, and Jamie. She was their first teacher and forever advocate. She knew all of their friends, and the Gossard home was always a gathering place. She attended every sporting event, play, band concert, and award ceremony. She never stopped mothering and would love to update you on the lives of her children. She was also a strong role model and supporter to all who called her Aunt Betty. The only thing better than being a Mom, in Betty’s opinion, was being a Gran. She was a very involved grandparent, no matter the distance. She learned to text, use Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and more, primarily to communicate with her grandchildren. She loved to see them in person; however, she was tech savvy enough to watch them online if that option was available. All of Coffeyville knew who drove the “Gran Van”. Teaching was her passion, and she was a tireless educator. Her more than 25-year career spanned multiple school districts, schools, and dear co-workers. Countless elementary students remember her high expectations and endless patience. When approached by former students, she always remembered exactly who they were and was proud of their accomplishments. Betty was a lifelong member and steadfast volunteer of the First United Methodist Church in Coffeyville. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She was a Girl Scout Leader and trainer. A member of the PTA and Parents As Readers. She participated in Leadership Coffeyville and was a member of Chapter EZ, PEO. Betty volunteered with the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society. She was a dedicated champion for reading books to children and an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. Betty’s faith in God and her loyalty to her family sustained her through the years. The family finds peace in the knowledge that she has returned to God.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Lynn.
She is survived by her loving husband, Roger. Her children, Jennifer (Jen) Hanson and fiancé Ed Limbaugh of Dallas, Texas, Jeff and Tara Gossard of Coffeyville, Jamie and Justin Murdock of Cookeville, TN. Grandchildren Grace and Grant Hanson; Elly, Emma and Campbell Gossard; Gavin and Macy Thompson; Finley (Finn), Peyton, and Camryn Murdock. Her sisters, Gail and Doug Misch, Lee and Jeff Martin, and sisters-in-law Nancy Gossard and Susan Hoffman. And her beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephew, and other extended family.
The family requests memorials to the following in lieu of flowers: First United Methodist Church of Coffeyville, Midland Theater Foundation, or American Cancer Society. Services will include a
Time of Visitation on Tuesday, March 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, March 26, at 3:00 p.m. Both will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 304 W. 10th St., Coffeyville, KS.
