Betty Ellen Dean, 82, died November 20, 2016, at her home. She was born January 17, 1934, in Erie, Kansas, to Augustus and Dorthea (Bensinger) King.

Betty graduated from Sterling High School. She was a past member of the Sterling United Methodist Church and attended CrossPoint Church, Hutchinson. Betty was a homemaker and enjoyed writing. She won several press awards for her writing and taught creative writing classes at Horizons Mental Health Center.

She married Robert Morton in 1951. They later divorced. On September 20, 1978, she married Donald Wayne Dean in Hutchinson. They shared 35 years of marriage. He survives.
Other survivors include: daughters, Kathie Pauls of Hutchinson, Debbie Wolfe and husband Bill of Sterling; stepchildren, Rodney Dean and wife Jeannie of Oklahoma, Terry Dean and wife Rayne of Hutchinson, Rhonda Harvey of Arizona; sisters, Viola Housel and husband DuWayne of Mullett Lake, Michigan, Jeanie Smith and husband Lewis of Lyons; grandchildren, Scott Wolfe of Sterling, Chelsea Pauls and Brandon Pauls, both of Hutchinson, Jeremy Dean and wife Beth of Wright City, Missouri, Jenny Mace of Hutchinson, Roxanne Harvey, Darrah Harvey, Daphne Smith, all of Arizona, Shelly Dean of Hutchinson, Tracy Dean of Oklahoma; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Joe E. King.
Cremation has taken place.

Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2016, at CrossPoint Church, 1410 E. 30th, Hutchinson, with Pastor Andy Addis officiating. Inurnment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Reno County or donor's choice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.