Elizabeth (Baustian) Nelson Myers was born in Lindsborg, Kan., on April 1, 1923. Her parents, Edith (Lundquist) and H.F. Baustian, were long-time educators in McPherson, Saline, and Ottawa counties.
Elizabeth, known to many as Betty Marie, was a graduate of Windom High School and Bethany College. She earned her Master of Science degree from Emporia State University and pursued additional graduate work at Kansas University, Kansas State University, California State University, and the University of Nebraska .
In 1946 she married M. R. Nelson. They had three children: James, Richard, and Elizabeth. In 1985 Elizabeth married Wesley Myers and they spent most of their married life in California and Arizona.
As an educator, Elizabeth served the state of Kansas thirty-eight years, the first fifteen in rural high schools, before working as an English teacher for five years and the remainder as a school counselor at the secondary level for the Salina school system. Additional roles included serving on the advisory council for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kansas from 1967-68, working as a state-appointed financial aid consultant for Kansas high schools in 1974-75, advocating bio feedback in working with student groups, and being awarded a lifetime membership to the Parent-Teacher Association. In 1973 she was awarded the St. Francis Boys’ Homes Distinguished Award, and in 1984 Elizabeth was elected as the NEA Salina Master Educator.
After retiring from the school system in Salina in 1985, Mrs. Myers and her husband moved to California where she spent eight years serving as an adjunct professor at California State University, San Bernardino. In addition to classroom teaching, she traveled Southern California as a supervisor of counselor interns. Her last assignment was given her in 1992 when she became Coordinator of Advanced Studies for the Coachella Valley Campus.
In 1995 Elizabeth and her husband Wesley moved to Phoenix where she set up a private counseling practice with her daughter which she continued until her retirement in 2006 when she retired and moved to Lindsborg where she renewed her membership in Bethany Lutheran Church and enjoyed participating in several women’s organizations and serving as a Stephen Minister.
She was preceded in death by both her husbands; daughter; and two sisters.
Elizabeth is survived by her sons, James Nelson and wife Linda of Rockport, Texas, and Richard Nelson and wife Marilyn of Lindsborg; five grandchildren, Sophia Lidback and husband Percy of Atlanta, Ga.; Jane Ayre and husband Doug of Great Bend; Emily Pezzola and husband Tony of Goddard; Melissa Simpson and husband Paulo of Maui, Hawaii; Ryan Nelson of Tulsa; and her brother, James Baustian and wife Carole of Topeka. She also has thirteen great grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for a later date.
Memorials may be made to Sunflower Terrace, formally Bethany Assisted Living, or Kindred Hospice, in care of Ryan Mortuary, 137 N 8th, Salina, Kan. 67401.