ELIZABETH LOUISE LATENSER

Elizabeth Louise (Clark) Latenser died peacefully at home in Overland Park, Kansas on Friday, May 29, 2015. Bette was born on Aug. 2, 1924 in Atchison, Kansas to Joseph Francis and Martha Hudgins Clark. She spent her childhood in Atchison, where she married Russell Edward Latenser on Jan. 23, 1946.

Bette was an adventurous, accomplished, generous, creative, and vivacious woman.

She enthusiastically embraced travel and the opportunity to immerse herself and her family in each new posting to which Russell's military assignments brought them: Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Heidelberg, Germany; Fort McClellan, Alabama; Hanau, Germany; Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Fort Hood, Texas; settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico for eventual retirement; and then returning to Overland Park, Kansas in her last years.

She began her career as a clerk for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and concluded as executive secretary to the Navy admirals and Army and Air Force generals who commanded the Defense Nuclear Agency at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her powerful persona, liberally laced with humor, was a driving force in the completion of many complex and time-sensitive agency programs.

Her accomplishments were wide and varied. Bette won New Mexico State Fair blue ribbons for her hand-sewn christening gowns, a beaded wedding dress and clothing she created on her knitting machines.

Bette danced her way through life to big band music and square dance calls. She traveled with gusto, welcomed new friends of many nationalities with a beaming smile, and opened her home to world travelers. She and Russell folded many young people into their hearts, making them a part of the family. Bette's eclectic life led her to learn to truly appreciate wine in Germany, and to travel independently to Paris, France and Berlin, Germany. She, builder of community, rallied friends and neighbors to come together to joyfully celebrate small or large occasions, or to celebrate for no occasion, at all.

Bette maintained her life-long love of high-heeled shoes, which she wore beyond her 90th birthday. For her 1959 voyage home to the United States from Heidelberg, Germany, Bette was set to pack 28 pairs of high-heeled shoes for a 7-day passage. Shocked at the mounds of shoe boxes, Russell suggested she pack fewer, so she packed only 14 pairs!

High-heeled shoes: emblem of her unique self.

Bette was a devout Catholic her entire life. Every week, for years, she baked bread and delivered it, warm and fragrant, to the waiting butter knives of the retired nuns of Saint Bernadette's Church.

Bette is survived by her loving children, Mary Jean Brown (John), Petie Walker, Rusty Latenser (Tina), Philip Latenser (Davene); her granddaughters Stephanie Crane (Bob), Mary Beth Brown (Matt), Lauri Quigley (Michael), Summer Baxter, Misty Reece, and Summer Smith (David); 11 great-grandchildren Luke, Avery and Hannah Crane, Justin and Will Quigley, Bryson Baxter, Johah, Lydia and Elijah Reece; and Delilah and Kaine Smith. Also surviving is her cherished sister, Janice DeGisi (Sabino); many nieces and nephews; her first cousins Toots Celano, Mary Arensberg, Larry Clark, Pat Boos, Judy Miller, Mary Ann Weaver, Clark Morin, Dixie Barnhart, Ken Whipple, Julia Clem and Kathy Tyson; and other family members. She leaves behind many friends, whom she held close in her heart. Bette is preceded in death by Laurie Elizabeth, daughter; Martha and Joseph Clark, Bette's parents; and by Joseph, Michael, Thomas and Richard, Bette's brothers; and, recently, John E. Latenser, Bette's brother-in-law.

Bette will be buried in Santa Fe National Cemetery in Sante Fe, New Mexico, with her beloved husband, Russell, who died July 10, 1995.

There will be a visitation at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS 66215, on Friday, June 5, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m., with Rosary at 5 p.m. Her funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W 103rd St., Overland Park, KS 66214 on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 10 a.m. Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Online condolences may be made at www.CullenFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, Bette asks that you perform an act of kindness, hug someone you love or call a long-missed friend.

Bette's family offers our deep and warmest gratitude to the kind and loving caregivers at SeniorCare Homes who added joy to our mother's life, and who enriched her life and ours. Thank you to Grace Hospice and Interim HealthCare.

Bette's laughter echoes on!

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO (816)322-5278