Betty Marie Brandsted

Betty Marie Brandsted, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at Brookdale Nursing Facility on October 1, 2023. Betty was born in McPherson, Kansas, on November 12, 1921, the daughter of John Erick and Esther Elvera (Peterson) Aurell. Betty attended Lincoln Grade School, McPherson Junior High, and graduated from McPherson High School. She attended Nursing School at North Park College, Chicago, Illinois, and received her RN Degree. Betty was united in marriage to Dr. Ernest Charles Brandsted on December 24, 1943, at the Aurell family farm northeast of McPherson, Kansas. This union was blessed with the birth of two sons, John and Mark. In 1951 the family moved to McPherson, Kansas where Dr. Brandsted was the first board certified specialized physician to practice in McPherson. Betty’s grandfather was a Charter Member of the Mission Covenant Church, which was where Betty began her membership and was baptized. After she was married, they transferred their membership to the New Gottland Covenant Church, and then to Countryside Covenant Church. She served the churches in many capacities through her life. Betty was a homemaker and took great pride in providing for her family in this manner. She loved decorating her home for the holiday seasons. She was a devoted caregiver for her parents, relatives, and friends. She volunteered for numerous organizations, including the Red Cross blood program, the American TB-Lung Association, the Welfare Advisory Board, the McPherson Hospital Auxiliary, and numerous state and local health committees. She was also a 50+ year member of the AY Chapter of P.E.O., where she served as President and Chaplain. Betty loved traveling the states and abroad, especially Sweden and Germany. When her boys were in Boy Scouts, both Betty and Doc would plan and go on camping trips to Colorado, where she would prepare meals for the group. She is survived by her sons, John E. Brandsted and wife, Cheryl, of Osage Beach, Missouri, and Mark W Brandsted and wife, Pam, of Prairie Village, Kansas; her sister, Mary Patricia “Pat” Johnson, of McPherson, Kansas; her six grandchildren, Dr. Rebecca Brandsted and husband, Nathan Cowan, Timothy Brandsted and wife Lilly McElroy, Erick Brandsted and wife Cheryl, Jeffrey Brandsted and wife Ilona Auth, Elizabeth Franklin and husband Zach, and Alan Brandsted. She is also survived by her seven great-grandchildren, Nina and Vera Brandsted, Jacob and Lillian Cowan, Samuel, Beckham, and Will Franklin, several nieces and nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, John and Esther Aurell, her husband, Dr. Ernest Brandsted, and her sister, Jane Hendricks. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Countryside Covenant Church in McPherson, Kansas, at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Jon Black officiating. Livestreaming will be available at: https://boxcast.tv/view/betty-brandsted-memorial-service-fd503nkfyqroewiphg3v. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Countryside Covenant Church, and can be sent in care of the Glidden-Ediger-Wiggins Funeral Home, 222 West Euclid, McPherson, Kansas 67460

Betty Marie Brandsted

November 12, 1921 - October 1, 2023