Frantz Severian Betschart

Frantz Severian Betschart passed away at his home near Ashland, KS on October 31, 2026, in the same house he was born in over 85 years ago on December 27, 1940. The 1st child of Forrest and Irene (Helean) Betschart, he grew up on a farm near Acres, KS, helping and learning from his dad. He attended Ashland Schools, graduating with the class of 1958. He went to work for Don Baker, learning the carpentry trade. He became a skilled carpenter and cabinet maker, helping build several houses in Ashland.

On August 25, 1960, he married the love of his life, Ellen Sue Cunningham at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fowler, KS. To this union three children were born: Michael, Brenda, and Anita. They made their home in Ashland until they moved to his grandparents’ farm north of Acres in 1963, where they farmed and raised cattle. One of his greatest pleasures was to tell people he owned his very own town, Acres, KS. They had purchased the “town” from the Lunsford family. Frantz was featured on an episode of Hatteberg’s People.

As a young boy, he worked at the Ashland Sale Barn and from there his love of sale barns grew. He was co-manager of the South Sale Barn in Dodge City for several years and was also owner of the sale barn in Liberal. He was a cattle buyer and ran his own starter feed yard and sheep operation. He also was a sheep buyer for Farm Bureau.

In his younger years, he enjoyed quail and pheasant hunting with his dad, brothers, uncle, and cousins. Many hours were spent with Ellen, his kids, grandkids, and the greyhounds, hunting coyotes; even on the way to church in the pickup, dog box full of dogs – those were the days.

Although he tried not to show it, he was so very proud of his children and the talented hard-working adults they grew up to be. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were truly a huge bright spot in his life. He loved following whatever they were doing, going to watch them when he could. He liked nothing better than having them all come home.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ashland and at one time served on the finance council and was a member of Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by Ellen, his wife of 66 years; his son: Mike and wife Gloria of Ashland; his daughter: Anita Johnson of Ashland; his grandchildren: Eric Betschart and Marshell Norris of Hays, Jake and Amber Betschart and Bret Betschart all of Ashland, Jeston and Jhaymie Mead of Holcomb, Kolton and Casie Mead of Garden City, Baylee Johnson of Goddard, Cooper Johnson and Taryn Berger of Edgemont, SD, Dana Bear of Ponca City, OK, and Kimberly Esplund of Bucklin; his great-grandchildren: Braxton Johnson, Jeci and Jru Mead, Kaiden Mead, Rocky, Brody, and Cole Betschart, Stetson, Addi, and Wade Johnson, Benny Reeves, Story Bear, and Skylar and Rylan Courtney; his brothers: Tom Betschart of Ashland and Ken Betschart of Torrington, WY; his sister: Ruth Ann Jellison of Protection; his son-in-law: Jerry Ellis; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his daughter: Brenda Mead, his parents, and father and mother-in-law: Charley and Glenda Cunningham.

This grumpy, likeable old man will be missed by all who knew him and heaven gained a great story teller.

Vigil Service followed by Rosary is at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ashland, KS.

Funeral Mass is at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 6, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ashland, KS.

Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Ashland, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to KSDA Assistance Dogs Inc., St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ashland and Englewood Fire Departments, or Ashland EMS in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.