In Memoriam

Betty Jane (James) Bernstorf

Bernstorf, Betty Jane (James), 88, died October 31, 2013. Mrs. Bernstorf was a Wichita native born June 2, 1925. She graduated from Wichita High School East and attended the University of Wichita prior to her work in federal civil service in 1943. Betty worked at the Wichita Veterans Hospital as a medical secretary where she met Philip W. Bernstorf, MD. They were married December 1949. Betty retired from federal civil service in 1967, after a twenty-five year career in Federal Civil Service serving in procurement with the United States Airforce, in supply and medical with the Veterans Administration, and in accounting and engineering with the U.S. Postal Region. Betty served as Chairman of the Fourth District Republican Central Committee 1982-83, and Vice Chairman of the Sedgwick County Republican Central Committee from 1980-82. She was also a former Officer and Board Member of the Twentieth Century Club and a life member of the Women's Kansas Day Club. She was a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians since 1996.

Mrs. Bernstorf was Recorder of the Zohar Temple, Daughters of the Nile; and a former officer of the Rose Douglas Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She received the Outstanding Service Award of the Wichita Kennel Club. She also held life membership in the West Highland White Terrier Club of America, although she was no longer active in breeding or showing. Betty became involved with genealogical research in 1976. She was a member of 39 genealogical organizations and National President for five of the organizations. The timespan represented by these organization covered 448 A.D. (Order of the Merovingian Dynasty) through the 1800s. At the 2011 National Society Sons of the American Revolution Annual Award Meeting, Mrs. Bernstorf was recognized with the SAR Gold Medal of Appreciation for Children of American Revolution in recognition of her efforts, specifically the raising of $ 100,000 for the benefit of the NSCAR Magazine and update management of the financial holdings of the society.

She is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Hazel (Walser) James and husband Philip W. Bernstorf. She is survived by her son, David (Elaine) Bernstorf; grandchildren Laura Bernstorf and Philip Bernstorf; and cousin Richard (Laverna) Walser. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 8, at Old Mission Mortuary with visitation following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Wichita State University Foundation, Bernstorf Family Scholarship, 4205 East 21st St N, Wichita, KS, 67260. 


Published in The Wichita Eagle from Nov. 3 to Nov. 7, 2013