Ernestine Befort

God is in the business of recruiting angels and he called Ernestine (Ernie) Jeanette Befort of Ellis, Kansas, home to her new position on Sunday, July 12, 2015. Ernestine was born on July 23, 1933, in Ellis, to Ernest and Agnes (Deutscher) Schoenthaler.

She was a graduate of Ellis High School and Brown Mackie School of Business. She married Robert L. (Bob) Befort on October 14, 1953. They began their married life in Hays and later moved to Ellis to raise their family. She enjoyed playing Texas Hold'em, Bingo and watching Wheel of Fortune at Ellis Country Club. She was employed at Ellis Good Samaritan Society for over 27 years, where she was honored as Employee of the Year in 2012. She was a member of St Mary's Catholic Church, Ellis, and Eagles Lodge #3774 of WaKeeney.

Ernestine took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and their many accomplishments. She attended many of their sporting events, dance recitals, and other events as often as she was able. She was especially proud of her newest great-grandchildren, twins Sophia and Olivia Womack, and was eager to share her many pictures of them. She was an avid bowler in her early years and was also an Avon representative for many years.

Robert predeceased her in death on May 27, 2011. She was also preceded in death by her parents, brother, Wayne Schoenthaler, nephew, David Dinkel, and son-in-law, Randy Bertrand, on July 6, 2015.

Survivors include two sons, Dale (Mary) Befort of Victoria, and Dean (Tammy) Befort of Wichita; four daughters, Patti Bertrand of Minneapolis, Joyce (David) Brungardt of Rosemount, Minnesota, Rose Tway and her special friend, Troy Kuppetz, and Crystal (Mark) Armbrister, all of Ellis; 11 grandchildren, Amadee (Jayme) Staab, Brandon Befort and fianc, Anna Robles, Brandy (David) Womack, Andrea (Nickolaus) Hernandez, Amanda (Ramon) Lopez, Cheryl (Jason) Jabara, Dustin Befort and his special friend, Krystle Vincent, Jennifer Harms, Joshua Tway, Logan Armbrister and Morgan Armbrister; 10 great-grandchildren, Brantlee, Kaymbree and Bexlee Staab, Sophia and Olivia Womack, Annicka, Alex and Xavier Hernandez, and Madelyn and Allison Jabara. She is also survived by her sister, Janice (LaVerne) Dinkel of Ellis and three nephews, Dan Dinkel of Littleton, Colorado, Don Dinkel of Columbia, South Carolina, and Daryl Dinkel of Rifle, Colorado.

Memorials are suggested to Ellis Good Samaritan Society.

Funeral services will be held at St Mary's Catholic Church, Ellis, on Thursday, July 16, at 10:00 am; burial in Mt Hope Cemetery, Ellis. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 15, at the church, where family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm; rosary at 7:45 pm; vigil at 8:00 pm.

Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E 17th St, Ellis, Kansas 67637 is in charge of funeral arrangements.













Service Information









Visitation Wednesday

July 15, 2015

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

St. Mary's Catholic Church

703 Monroe

Ellis, Kansas 67637









Recitation of the Rosary Wednesday

July 15, 2015

7:45 PM

St. Mary's Catholic Church

703 Monroe

Ellis, Kansas 67637









Vigil Service Wednesday

July 15, 2015

8:00 PM

St. Mary's Catholic Church

703 Monroe

Ellis, Kansas 67637









Mass of Christian Burial Thursday

July 16, 2015

10:00 AM

St. Mary's Catholic Church

703 Monroe

Ellis, Kansas 67637