Ila Jean Bethell

Ila Jean (Jeanie) Bethell, 79, of Williamsburg, KS passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Richmond Healthcare and Rehab in Richmond, KS.  She was born June 8, 1943, in Ottawa, KS the daughter of Harlan and Frances (Talley) Cannady.  She grew up in a kind of tom boy fashion, trying to keep up with the boys and helping on the farm early in life. Ila attended school in Princeton, KS, where she won Homecoming Queen twice and participated in cheerleading through her high school career. Ila also won a Pillsbury Economics Award for her baking skills. She graduated from Princeton High School in 1961 as the class Salutatorian and class President.

After graduating high school, Ila worked as a telephone operator for South Western Bell before committing all her time and energy to her family as a homemaker and farm wife. Ila married Harold “Ned” Bethell on September 1, 1963.  The Lord blessed the Bethell’s with two son’s Jeff and Ricky Dale.  They shared over forty-four years of marriage before the passing of her husband, Ned. 

Ila’s Pillsbury Economics Award she received in high school did not disappoint. She hand-crafted incredible chocolate chip cookies, homemade ice cream of many different flavors, cinnamon rolls, chicken and noodles, and loved baking cakes that were specifically designed for each of her loved ones.

Ila lived her whole life on John Brown Road. Her and Ned traveled quite often in their R.V. and was always sure to send post cards while away. She enjoyed going shopping with her sisters and spending time entertaining her precious grandchildren. Ila always had a video recorder in her hand capturing many memories. She never missed a school function including plenty of basketball games. She also took the grandkids to the library and park often, and for milkshakes at Lucille’s Café. Ila’s family was her entire life.

The Bethell’s faithfully attended the Peniel Bible Church of Waverly, KS for many years. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Ricky Dale; her husband, Ned; two sisters, Karen Cannady and Kay Wiederholt.

She is survived by her son, Jeff Bethell and wife, Jo of Melvern, KS; four granddaughters,  Kimberly Bethell-Kasney and husband, Larry of Williamsburg, KS, Emily Bethell of Ottawa, KS, Haylea Bethell of Melvern, KS and Kristi Godinez of Lebanon, MO;  three great-grandchildren, Tristan, Hunter and Alexander;  two brothers, Jim Cannady and wife Beverly of Princeton, KS and Tom Cannady and wife Debbie of Ottawa, KS; two sisters, Mary Ann Zielsdorf and husband Marvin of Topeka, KS and Arlene Coon and husband Gary of Emporia, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the Peniel Bible Church, 2771 Trefoil Rd., Waverly, KS 66871.  Interment will follow at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Pomona, KS.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at the Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Peniel Bible Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be sent in c/o the Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067.  Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.   

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