Betty J. Melby

Betty Jane Melby, 89, of Belleville, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026. She was born on August 20, 1936, in Norway, Kansas, to Lester and Alice (Scott) Thompson.

Betty attended Scandia schools, where she earned her high school diploma. She later married Harvey Melby in 1956. This union was made complete by two children, Steve and Lydia.

Betty spent her life as a farm wife and caretaker, dedicating herself to her family and home. She enjoyed spending time playing cards with family and friends, working on challenging puzzles, and carefully tending to the farm to keep it running smoothly. She was known for her straightforward nature, generosity through charitable giving, and care for neighborhood children when it was needed.

She is survived by her children, Steve (Terri) Melby and Lydia (Paul) Steinlage; sister, Rose Nondorf; grandchildren, Bethany (Eric) Poulin, Ericka (Clint) Berry, Aaron (Alex) Melby, Alexander (Ashton) Steinlage, Theodore (Haley) Steinlage, and Nathaniel Steinlage; great-grandchildren, Colleen Berry, Declan Berry, Jethro Steinlage, Kaius Steinlage, Colbie Steinlage, and Kori Steinlage; sister-in-law, Genevieve Melby; and a host of special nieces, nephews, and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Melby; parents, Lester and Alice (Scott) Thompson; brothers, Max Thompson and William “Bob” Thompson; and sisters, Audrey Morehead and Patsy Thompson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Amana Lutheran Church in Scandia. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, Scandia.

Visitation will be Friday, January 30, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville.

Memorials are requested to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Amana Lutheran Church and may be mailed to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 566, Belleville, Kansas 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Melby family with these arrangements.