Betty Jo Koepke passed away on May 6, 2026, at Hays Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born on October 8, 1928, in Monette, Missouri, to Claude "Arthur" Clements and Iva Myrtle (Clark) Clements. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her five siblings: Irene Bridges, Doyle Clements, Fern Raines, Opal Stover, and Rosalie Folds. Betty attended school in Neosho, Missouri.

Betty married John E. Koepke on July 24, 1953, in Springfield, Missouri. They lived in Kansas City, Missouri, for a brief time before moving to Dodge City, Kansas, after purchasing the 100thMerdian Motel, which they later renamed the Thunderbird Motel. After selling the Thunderbird, they became the proud owners of the Silver Spur Lodge hotel and restaurant. In later years they added the Silver Spur Lodge Convention Center and Supper Club. They sold the hotel and retired in 1978.

Betty is survived by her daughter Cindy Day and husband Roger, Dodge City, and son John W. Koepke, recently moving to Hays from Dodge City. She is also survived by two grandsons, Justin Day and wife Tiffany, of Lawrence, Kansas, and James Day and wife Brianna, of Hays, Kansas. Her grandsons were the true loves of her life! The "grandma" name given to her by Justin was Ammie. All through the remainder of her life, she was Ammie to all who loved her, and there were a multitude of people who called her Ammie. Ammie's house was known to all of the boys' friends and the neighborhood kids as the place to be after school. She was asked many times by people stopping by, "Do you have any openings in your day care?" Of course, there was a treat drawer filled with candy bars, the freezer was filled with popsicles and ice cream bars, and the refrigerator door always had cold soda pop, enough to go around no matter how many children were there. Justin and Jamie walked to her house after school every day from Kindergarten until they started driving themselves to high school.

Justin and Jamie both married amazing women who added more love and beauty to Betty's family. Through those unions, Betty received the beautiful gift of four great-grandchildren: AddysonDay, Jackson Day, Ethan Day, and Macie Jo Day. Her greatest joy later in her life was being with her four grands playing Old Maid, Go Fish, and "Mental Math" (aka Blackjack). They loved having tea parties at her kitchen table, doing art projects on the dining room table and playing with "slime", even though she hated the stuff! As James so aptly said, "Ammie's house - where the answer is always YES!

Betty's hobby for many years was the Thursday afternoon ladiespoker club. She was the last remaining member of the club. What a happy heavenly reunion that will be with her best friends!

Betty attended First Presbyterian Church of Dodge City and served faithfully in every possible capacity and on every committee when she was asked. She was the oldest living member of her church on her passing.

Betty was known as a wonderful cook and she loved feeding her family. Her oven-baked brisket is legendary. The recipe has been handed down, but it never tastes quite the same because Ammie didn't make it. She handed down the recipe for Thanksgiving dressing, which we have had moderate success in recreating. The secret ingredient was and will always be her tender loving care in the preparation. On your birthday, she prepared whatever you wanted for dinner and your favorite dessert. Whether it was yellow cake with chocolate frosting, brownies with Hershey bars melted on top, German chocolate cake, or rhubarb pie, she had the best recipe that was always delicious.

Ammie, we love you and will miss you always!

Graveside service will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City.  Visitation will be on Sunday, May 10, 2026 from noon to 3:00 PM at Swam Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guestbook at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.