Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Betty Jo Walters Cody Dutcher, age 83, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, in Los Angeles, Calif., from complications due to Lewy Body Dementia. Betty was a long-time resident of Linn County.
Betty was the seventh of nine children born to John and Bessie Mae Walters. Betty was born in a tent on the land her parents sharecropped in Bethel, Kan.
Betty attended Argentine Middle School but left when she was 14 years old for a better life. She worked at an ice cream parlor where she earned $17 a week, and rented an apartment across the street for $10 a week.
When Betty was 18 she was set up on a blind date picnic in Swope Park. She married her date, James Delroy Cody, later that year on June 21, 1951. Together they moved to California where James was stationed in the Air Force. They had three children, Marilyn, James and Dianna.
Betty later married Norris Dewitt Dutcher III on July 17, 1967. They had two daughters, Norra and Donna.
Betty was a hard worker with an entrepreneurial spirit. She achieved her childhood dream of becoming a telephone operator before she married. After she married, she focused on raising her children, being in service to others, and working for herself. She had several successful businesses – first preparing income taxes, then owning and operating an antique store, a convenience and liquor store, and a residential care facility for the elderly. She took the most pride in her job as a school bus driver, which she did late in life. She weathered Kansas winters and made sure her many children made it to school safely. Betty earned her GED, an A.A. degree in early childhood education, a CNA license, and completed H&R Block training.
Betty fell in love with Alaska and visited many times. She loved cross country road trips while listening to Elvis’ gospel music, Ray Charles and Herb Alpert and stopping at every flea market and truck stop along the way. She also loved playing cards and hosting dinners. Most of all she loved being with her family. She was a warm, nurturing mother who deeply loved her children and grandchildren as best she could. Betty never recalled her parents saying “I love you,” but she made it a point to tell her children she loved them every day she was with them. She wanted nothing but a better life for her children filled with love and opportunity.
In 2005, Betty left these words for her children and grandchildren:
When you’re lonely, I wish you love.
When you’re down, I wish you joy.
When you’re troubled, I wish you peace.
When things are complicated, I wish you simple beauty.
When things look empty, I wish you hope.
It is not easy to apologize for a wrong,
To begin all over again,
To forgive and forget,
To control a bad temper,
To keep a high standard,
To remember that the sun will shine
– But it is worthwhile.
Betty is survived by her five children, daughter Marilyn (Cody) Prater, son James Cody and wife Debbie, daughter Dianna (DeDe) (Cody) Anderson and husband Rick, daughter Norra (Dutcher) Basore and husband Brian, and daughter Donna Dutcher; five grandchildren, Ryan Andersen and wife Shelly, Jason Andersen, Brandon Cody and wife Hilary Bruckert, Nicolas Basore and girlfriend Caroline Hayes, and Rachel Basore; and three great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Maverick Andersen and Brandon Cody Jr. Betty is also survived by her brother Donald Walters and wife Cheryl; sister Alida (Tammy) Renz and husband Clyde; and a large extended family.
A memorial service will be scheduled. Inquiries may be addressed to Donna Dutcher, donna_dutcher@cacd.uscourts.gov.
OBITUARIES
Jean Driskell ~ 03-22-1943 to 07-18-2025

Linn County News Published July 23, 2025 Jean Driskell, age 82, formerly of La Cygne, Kan., passed away Friday, July 18, 2025. Memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation... [More]
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
More Obituaries
- Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025
- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
- Kandi Kay Cruse ~ 03-29-1958 to 06-27-2025
- Jessica Cae Pritchett ~ 08-30-1981 to 06-26-2025
- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
NEWS
Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County

A Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) resurfacing project on U.S. 69 in Linn County will begin the week of July 28. The project will resurface U.S. 69 with ultrathin bonded asphalt for just over 7 miles from Pleasanton to just north of... [More]
Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion

The majority of heated discussion came at the end of the Pleasanton City Council meeting Monday night during council discussion when Council people Bill Skipper and Angelina Randall squared off concerning the recent ISO inspection that occurred at the fire department. Skipper... [More]
La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral

Ad valorem revenue will decrease by almost $16,600, levy by over 7.6 mills The city of La Cygne will not only be revenue neutral but actually below neutral on its 2026 municipal budget. That was the report from Jodi Wade, city clerk, at last Wednesday’s regular... [More]
More News
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
- SPECIAL: Resurfacing on U.S. 59 in Anderson County to begin in August 4
- Commissioners vote to exceed revenue neutral
- Mulberry Limestone CUP approved by P & Z
- SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees
- Commissioners discuss various budgets
- City learns of fire gear condition
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

