Betty Arleene Tholen

Betty Arleene Dulaney Tholen was born April 16, 1919, to Leonard Merle and Cordelia Mae Horton Dulaney at the family home in Winfield, Kansas. She died in Emporia, KS, on August 21, 2011.

Betty graduated as valedictorian from Winfield High School, attended Southwestern College in Winfield, and continued her stellar academics at Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia until she met her future husband, Tom Tholen, in 1939. Betty graduated from KSTC in May 1941 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and education and taught at Lawrence Junior High School and Belleville Junior High School prior to her marriage on June 3, 1943, at Camp Rucker in Ozark, Alabama. Together, Betty and Tom made their home in Emporia, reared their children, and shared a commitment to each other as well as family and the community. They also shared a passion for travel that enriched their lives and brought them many new friends. Betty and Tom had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary prior to Tom’s death in September of 2003.

Betty was a busy wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and citizen. She loved literature, music, poetry, and tending to her flowers; and she had a keen interest in genealogy. She was active in the Pi Kappa Sigma Alums; the League of Women Voters; Emporia State University Alumni Association; American Association of University Women; the PTA; the Emporia Retired Teachers Association; the Democratic Party; the P.E.O. Sisterhood; Fortune Study Club; and the Friends of the Library; and she was a champion of many causes. She was instrumental in persuading the Emporia community and its leaders of the need for a new public library, and worked unceasingly and successfully for the funds and support to see it built.

Betty is survived by her brother Rex Dulaney and wife Darlene of Rock Springs, WY; daughter Jan Tholen Saab and husband Fred of Newton, KS; daughter Judy Tholen Olander and husband Gene of Topeka, KS; daughter Mary Ann Tholen Butler of Leadville, CO; son Bill Tholen and wife Karen of Roeland Park, KS; son Mike Tholen and wife Cindy of Odessa, MO; and son Joe Tholen of Tulsa, OK.

Also surviving are grandchildren and great-grandchildren David Saab and wife Jennifer; Katie Saab Taylor, husband Ian, and sons Aidan and Declan; Paul Saab; Marcie Olander Rosenston, husband Jerald, and children Lauren and Bradley; Cordelia Butler; Jordan Butler; Burke Butler; Heather Tholen Kirk, husband Dan, and children Lillie Huckaby and Blake and Noah Kirk; Bill Tholen, wife Barbara, and son Finian; Amanda Tholen Long and husband Brandon; Taylor Tholen and wife Pamela; Brenna Tholen Belknap and husband Chris; Jillian Tholen Fletcher and husband Brandon; Delaney Tholen; and Laura Tholen. Also surviving are loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

A memorial service in tribute to Betty’s life will be held Thursday, August 25th at 11:00 am at the First Christian Church, 202 East 12th Street, Emporia, KS, followed by inurnment at Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family will receive guests at 10:00 am at the church, prior to the service.

Those wishing to honor Betty’s passion for reading and education may make contributions to the Friends of the Emporia Public Library’s Endowment Fund or the library’s patio garden project. Contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty Arleene Tholen, please visit our flower store.