Betty Jane Masoner (Nelson)

Betty Jane Masoner (Nelson), age 91, of Huntington Beach, California, formerly of Peculiar, Garden City, and Weaubleau, Missouri, departed this life Friday, April 25, 2025.

Betty Jane was born July 28, 1933, in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, to Jennie Lou (Harper) and Joseph Guy Nelson. She had a brother born two years earlier, William Joseph Nelson.

Mom accepted the grace of salvation when she was a young girl at the First Baptist Church in Peculiar, Missouri. She was committed to her beliefs and Faith.

Betty Jane graduated from Peculiar High School in 1951 where she had attended all 12 years. In 1952, she married Paul Ernest Masoner in Pocahontas, Arkansas, who also graduated in her class. He was the Love of Her Life. After Paul was finished with his basic training with the US Air Force in 1952, Betty joined him in Biloxi, Mississippi, and then to Orlando, Florida, where Paul finished his four-year stint.

While in Orlando, their son, Stanley Joseph, was born at the Air Force Base in 1954, and their second son, Paul Stephen, was born in 1955. In 1956, they all moved back to Peculiar, where their daughter, Kimberly B, was born in Harrisonville in 1957.

The family moved to Garden City, Missouri, in 1961, and then Betty and Paul built a home between Garden City and Creighton in 1968. In 1973, they acquired a farm outside of Weaubleau, Missouri, where they both lived for several decades.

Betty and Paul were mutually committed to their Faith and beliefs in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. She taught several Sunday School classes over the years and assisted in many Bible Schools at various Baptist churches. In the 1980s, they participated in Laymen Missionary work through the Southern Baptist Convention in Barbados, two different times, and in Puerto Rico. For untold occasions for Church and with friends, Betty was known for her home-made noodles and chicken and for her home-made rolls. After Paul was diagnosed with celiac disease in the 1980s, she was so devoted to ensuring that his diet was gluten-free.

In 1993, their granddaughter was born, Lillian Harper Masoner, to Mary and Stanley Masoner, in Minnesota, where Lilly continues to reside. Betty and Paul were able to enjoy her company on several occasions when Lilly was growing up.

The Love of Her Life, Paul Masoner, passed away in 2012, and because of memory issues, Betty was moved to Seal Beach, California, in 2017 to be near her son Stephen, and then to a care facility a few years later in Huntington Beach for advanced care. She was not aware of when Stanley passed in 2022 in St. Augustine, Florida, although Steve and Kim attended his Celebration of Life in October that year. Stan’s wife Mary continues to reside in St. Augustine.

Her parents and brother passed away many years ago. Betty Jane leaves behind her son, Paul Stephen Masoner and wife, Lisa, Seal Beach California, and daughter, Kimberly Gray, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri, will provide the arrangements for her service and burial. A visitation is planned for Friday evening, May 9, from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM, and her eulogy will be read at 7:00 PM that evening Harrisonville at the funeral home. Burial will be at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 10, Wills Cemetery outside of Peculiar. Karen Sanders Blankenship, whose parents were lifelong friends with Betty and Paul, will share some memories and a prayer of thanksgiving at the burial.

Thank you to family and friends who have reached out with memories and expressions of love. Thank you to Dickey Funeral Home for their attention to detail and care.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wills Cemetery, Peculiar Missouri and sent in care to Dickey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 432, Harrisonville, Missouri 64701.