Betty Ann Schrader, nèe Godfrey, born January 18th, 1946, passed away at Lawrence Memorial Hospital on February 23rd, 2024 at the age of 78 from a hard-fought battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
Betty was born to Lorraine E. Snow and Everett L. Godfrey in Lawrence, the fourth of four children. She is predeceased by her brother Clifford W. Godfrey (1944), and survived by her sister Genevieve L. Stowe (1938) and brother Harold L. Godfrey (1942). Betty was a true Lawrencian at heart, attending Woodlawn Elementary School and Central Junior High School before graduating in 1964 from Lawrence High School.
Betty married James W. Schrader in 1964 and the pair had two adoring sons. Betty and James divorced in 1983, and James passed in 2004. Betty is survived by her two sons, James W. Schrader Jr. (1965) of Whitney, Texas and Steven E. Schrader (1968) of Lawrence, Kansas. She also held a long career (1975 – 2001) as a Bakery and Delicatessen Specialist for the Dillons stores, having her move across Kansas for her positions before retiring in Lawrence. Betty was the first female supervisor of the Dillons Kansas Division in 1983.
Betty is survived by two grandchildren, Mika R. Schrader (1998) and Bayn A. Schrader (2001), but is predeceased by her youngest grandchild Jason G. Schrader (2003-2020), son of James Jr. and Shelly Schrader. She was a dedicated grandmother, cheering her grandchildren on in all their activities and achievements, never failing to warm the hearts of all those around her.
Betty returned to work at the Kansas Turnpike Association in 2016 and worked there until her cancer diagnosis in 2023. Before her passing, Betty was also happy to cheer the Chiefs to one more Superbowl victory.
A celebration of life for Betty is forthcoming, and family and friends can reach out to Steven for details. In lieu of flowers, the family desires that donations be made to the Lawrence Humane Society in honor of Betty’s lifelong love of dogs.
My sympathies to your family. I’m certain my Sister Andrea Garrett (now deceased) was a classmate of Betty’s.
I always thought Betty was a super, super lady who I admired greatly. I’d see her occasionally at her class reunions since my wife is also from her class. Jim Sr. was a close friend and teammate in our teenage years. Rest in pease, Betty.
Schrader family, sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss.
Betty was an old friend and member of the class of 64.
After 64 there was no more !