Betty Jane Burge
June 21, 1933 - June 20, 2025
Betty Jane (Itrich) Burge, long-time resident of Ponca City, OK, passed away on June 20, 2025. It was the day before her 92nd birthday. After a hip replacement, she struggled physically and was diagnosed with vascular dementia and later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Immediate family members will have a private burial and celebration of her life at a later date. She will be buried next to her deceased husband, Richard, at Newkirk Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home and Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK, 74601.
Betty, known by her family and friends as ‘Janie’, was born June 21, 1933, in Memphis, TN. She was adopted by Gustav and Hazel (Clardy) Itrich as an infant through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Janie was raised as an only child living in North Dakota, Arkansas and Oklahoma during her childhood.
She graduated from Ponca City High School in 1951 and then attended St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Ponca City. She met a tall, handsome man at a dance, fell in love and wanted to get married. Unfortunately, at that time, women were not allowed to be married while in nursing school. Richard won her heart over, and they got married, so she had to drop out of the nursing school. After all the children were in school, she returned to her training as a nurse and worked many years as an in-home health care nurse. She was an excellent and very caring nurse to many and was sought out for her nursing services.
Janie married Richard Leo Burge on August 2, 1952, at St. Mary’s Church in Ponca City and became an active member of the church. Being an only child, she always longed for a big family, so they created a big family of their own. Together, they raised five children and thoroughly enjoyed all their many activities which always included extra neighborhood kids too. Her greatest pride and joy in life were her children and grandchildren.
Together, Janie and Richard’s favorite past times were traveling, camping, dancing and playing cards with family and friends. Janie was an avid reader which could mean reading as many as two to three books a week. She also loved crocheting, knitting and playing bridge. Her knowledge of historical and trivial information was amazing. Janie was also an avid puzzler. She would do and successfully complete any and all types of puzzles she could get her hands on. Crossword puzzles being her favorite. She loved talking to people and never met a stranger. In a few minutes, she would know a lot about the person she just met and, of course, would proudly share details of her life as well.
Richard, her husband of 62 years, predeceased her on January 1, 2015. She is survived by her children Joe Burge, Ceci Myers, Janel (Danny) Godbehere and Bruce Burge all of Ponca City, OK; and Tammy (Ron) Hudnall of Bartlesville, OK. Her grandchildren are Mandy (Jimmy) Farmer, Rachel (Luke) Randol, Hallie Godbehere, and Carlie (Doug) Narron all of Ponca City, OK; Dru (Christina) Hudnall of Richmond, TX; Todd (Heather) Hudnall of Gentry, AR; and 17 great grandchildren.
Janie’s family would like to recognize and appreciate the staff of Via Christi for her care during her last few years. Memorial donations in her name may be made to an organization of your choice or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL, 60601.
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