Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Junk

 

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Junk, 94, of Overland Park, KS, formerly of Carlinville, passed away on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Tallgrass Creek Senior Living Community in Overland Park, KS.

She was born Elizabeth Helen Wotherspoon on Saturday, April 5, 1930, in Carlinville. Her parents were Denby and Venah (Dearing) Boring.

Betty pursued math and physical education degrees at Blackburn College in Carlinville, where she met Paul Junk. They married on June 13, 1953, in Carlinville. She finished her degree at Illinois State Normal University.

Before growing her family, Betty was a girls’ physical education teacher in St. Louis, MO. She worked as a substitute teacher and real estate agent while raising three sons and a daughter. Paul’s education and jobs took them from Evanston, IL, to Columbia, MO, to Topeka, KS, and finally Duluth, MN, before retiring at Saddlebrook Ranch in Tucson, AZ, and then Tallgrass Creek in Overland Park, KS.

Betty was a devout Christian Scientist and served as a Reader at her local church.

She was sharp, tenacious, and quick to offer a laugh; she especially enjoyed card games, romance novels, puzzling, and swimming.

Betty and Paul traveled the world together, and their family members treasure the many RV adventures across the US, Mexico, and Canada, where Betty deftly navigated using many paper maps.

Betty is survived by her husband, Paul Junk; sons, David (Judy) Junk of Lenexa, KS, Robert (Dixie) Junk of Kansas City, MO; daughter, Denise Junk of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughters, Hilary Junk of Lenexa, KS, Elizabeth Junk (Michael Vogt) of Seattle, WA, Grace (Carolyn) Junk of Chicago; sisters Mary Johnston (Stan) of Lebanon, OH and Rayne Reese (Bart) of Overland Park, KS.

She was preceded in death by her son, Scott Junk; her parents; brothers, Walt Derringer, Jack Dearing and sister Raphelle.

The family will announce a celebration of life to be held later this year.