Elizabeth M. “Betty” Kongs, 97, of Kelly, KS, died Friday, April 5, 2002, at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca, where she had been a resident since March of 1999.

She was born April 16, 1904, on a farm northwest of St. Benedict, KS, the daughter of Frank H. and Agnes Enneking Hunninghake. Her father died when she was four years old. She attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict and St. Bede’s School in Kelly after she moved there with her family. Her mother later married Bernard Glissman.

On October 24, 1922, she married Jacob L. Kongs at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. They were later divorced. He died in 1968.

They moved to Red Bluff, CA in 1926 where they owned and operated the Kongs Delicatessen. In 1938 she returned to Kelly. She moved to Kansas City in 1939 where she took nurses training. She was employed as an L.P.N. for 30 years at the Neurological Hospital (previously known as Robinson Memorial Hospital). She served as floor supervisor on the Geriatric Unit as well as working as a private duty nurse. She retired in 1981 and returned to Kelly in October of 1983.

Her memberships include St. Bede’s Church and the Altar Society at the church in Kelly. She was a former member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and the Altar Society at the church, a life member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, a former member and past president of the Cara Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association, where she had perfect attendance for 28 years, and a member of the Mercy Visitors Association, all in Kansas City. She was also a former member and past president of the American Association of Medical Assistants in Jackson County.

Survivors are a stepson, Joseph Kongs of Washington, KS, a step-daughter, Angela Kniest of St. Louis, MO; a half-brother, Cletus Glissman of Wetmore, KS; two half sisters, Frances Steinlage of Seneca, KS and Agnes Boden of Havensville, KS; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; seven step-great grandchildren; and 13 step great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rosalie “Sally” Catalano on May 29, 1992; four step children, Robert Kongs, Ollie Kongs, Ed Kongs, and Ositha Holthaus; two brothers, Leo and Henry Hunninghake; five half-brothers, August, Callistus, Aloysius, and Bernard “Ben” Glissman, and John Hunninghake; two step-brothers, Raymond and Albert Korte; two step-sisters, Annie Glissman and Mary Korte; two half sisters, Sister Agnes Marie Glissman, O.S.B. and Theresa Blocker.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. Monday at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Home Health Agency or St. Bede’s Cemetery, and sent in care of the family.