Betty Jane Knudson, 88, of rural Hiawatha, Kansas, passed away on Monday, July 16, 2012 at the Sabetha Community Hospital. She was born on July 8, 1924 in Willis, Kansas the daughter of Thorvald and Fern Koger Knudson. Betty Jane graduated from Willis High School in 1942 and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from Kansas State University. She then served as a medical technician at the Kansas University of Medical Center in Kansas City for a year. Betty Jane then received her Master's of Science and Specialist Degree from the University of Kansas. She did so post graduate work at the University of Colorado. Betty Jane was a English teacher in the Shawnee Mission, Kansas school systems for many years. She then returned to the family farm to help her parents with the farm management and the livestock operation. She was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Everest, Kansas. She was a life member of the University of Kansas Alumni Association, Kansas State University Alumni Association and the National Education Association of the retired teachers. Survivors include several cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. Funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas. Burial will be at the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Everest, Kansas. Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church in care of the mortuary. A special message may be sent to the family at dishon-maple-chaney.com