Betty Land

Betty Gustin Land, 78, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was born Thursday, September 5, 1929 in Pleasant Hill, the daughter of William C. and Monelle A. (Armstrong) Gustin. She departed this life Monday, January 28, 2008 in Pleasant Hill.

She was a 1947 graduate of Pleasant Hill High School. She married James W. Land on October 12, 1947, in Olathe, Kansas. They made their home together in Pleasant Hill for over 43 years until his death on February 20, 1990.

Betty was a member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, VFW Women's Auxiliary, and the National Geographic Society. She was active in various social and musical activities over the years, including vocals and piano, politics, sports, journalism, accounting and tax preparations. She enjoyed animals, flowers, and wildlife especially cats & birds. She especially loved her family, friends, and "her" town, as she called it, Pleasant Hill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister Martha Ann Gustin, her husband, and her son James Douglas Land.

She is survived by her daughter, Martha Ellen Combs of Rockaway Beach, Missouri; 2 granddaughters, Billie Jean Fleener and fiancAC. Brian Edwards and Chazlynn Marie Goodell (daughter of the late Doug Land); two grandsons, David Jared Combs and wife Melissa, and Darren Gene Combs; 5 great-grandchildren, twins James Patrick and Brittany Anne McManus, Damien James Grant Combs, Kailey Gale Rantz and Elise Suelynn Hendricks; 1 sister Joan Ellen Mitchell and her twin brother John Dennis Gustin and brother William Jerry Gustin; 1 brother-in-law John H. Land, Jr.; several nieces & nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, February 1, 2008, at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home. A private burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Family & Friends officiated. Services were also provided by the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post #3118.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and may be sent in care of hte funeral home.