Betty Jane Troughton McConnell, 79, formerly of Seneca, died peacefully on Saturday, April 22, 2017, in her home of 48 years, in Mission, Kansas.

Betty was born on March 6, 1938, in Rapid City, South Dakota, to Oliver K. and Thelma E. Deffenbaugh Troughton.

Jane attended Seneca Public School in Seneca and graduated in 1956. She went on to business school in Lawrence for a year; where she met her future husband, Howard McConnell. A year later, on August 2, 1958, Howard and Jane were married at the First United Methodist Church in Seneca. Jane was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, the couple celebrated 39 years together before Howard’s death on January 17, 1998.

She was a loving Mother to her sons, Dan, Doug and Shawn McConnell, an amazing Grandmother to Max, Elisabeth and Maggie McConnell, and a wonderful Great Grandmother to Harlow McConnell.

Jane had many hobbies and interests, including Bunko with her church friends, sewing, cooking and baking; she was a master gardener that loved to raise flowers and a vegetable garden. In addition, she was an accomplished artist and a painter.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Thelma on January 8, 1990 and Oliver on October 2, 1997.

Jane is survived by her sons, Dan McConnell, Doug McConnell, Shawn McConnell all of Kansas City; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and four adoring siblings, Kent Troughton of Kansas City, Doug Troughton San Francisco, California, Eleanor Johnson and Marilyn Swortwood both of Kansas City.

A Memorial Services will be held on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 6422 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas, 66202. A visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm, followed by a “Celebration of Life” ceremony, capturing Jane’s amazing presence and influence in our lives.

Jane and Howard will be laid to rest together in the Seneca City Cemetery in Seneca, Kansas, next to Jane’s mother and father, Oliver and Thelma Troughton, on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 11 AM.

All who knew and loved our Mother Jane, know that her great outer beauty was entwined with a great inner beauty, that will continue to shine with her Lord for all of eternity. You are so missed and so loved, our beloved Mother.

Memorials are for St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, sent in care of her family. Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of the Seneca arrangements.