MILLER, Kan. – Betty Jane (Roberts) Blex, 96, went to be with the Lord June 22, 2023, at Presbyterian Manor, Emporia, Kan. Betty was born May 7, 1927, in Pratt, Kan.

She was raised in Emporia by her parents, William J and Irene Logan Roberts. She attended Walnut Elementary, Lowther Middle School, graduated from Emporia High School, and received a bachelor’s degree from College of Emporia and a master’s degree from Kansas State Teachers College.

She married Donald L. Blex, in Emporia, Dec. 26, 1950.

Betty taught school in North Lyon County for more than 45 years. She taught at Miller High School, Bushong, Kan., the first class at Northern Heights High School, one-room school at Miller, and then finished with many years at Admire Junior High School. She was well known for her adventurous spirit with classroom experiments, field trips, and shooting rockets at the end of each year. Even after retiring she returned for years afterwards to read with the first graders and to tutor students to keep them at their grade level. Mrs. Blex was twice nominated by her district for the Kansas Master Teachers Hall of Fame. At that time, it was calculated that she had worked with nearly 1,000 students during her career. But she didn’t just work with them, she cared about each and every one, and would go the extra mile to be sure their educational needs were met so they could achieve at their highest level.

She was a member of Miller United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Shepherdess for the UMW, Lord’s Herd, Miller Friendship Class, and several Osage City bridge clubs. Betty taught the adult Sunday school class for more 50 years. She was a 75-year member of the Eastern Star, Social Order of the Beauceant, and a founding member and 50-year achievement honoree of the Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority.

Survivors include her daughter, Diane (Dean) Blex Mangus; grandsons, Donald W. Blex, Christopher Blex, Joshua Mangus, Seth (Allyson) Mangus, and Sean (Amie) Mangus and great granddaughter; sisters, Margaret (Mike) Martinie and Emily VanderVelde, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 52 years, Don Blex; son, David Blex; brothers, William L. Roberts and Richard (Lelia) Roberts; and sisters, Catherine (William) Spriegel, Patricia (Chester) Duncan and Mary Mickel.

A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, July 15, at Miller Methodist Church, Miller, Kan. Family will receive friends an hour before service. Private inurnment will be in Rapp Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth St., Osage City, KS 66523.

Condolences can be left at vanarsdalefs.com.