Betty J. Kulhanek was born in Memphis, NE on May 29, 1926 to Jesse D. and Maude (VanAllen) Sims. They moved to Ashland where Betty attended Ashland Public School. In her early 20’s, she married Thomas Fick and they had three children: Shari, Vicky and Tom. After Thomas’ death, she moved to Arlington, NE. She met Emil Kulhanek and they were married Mar. 31, 1956. They had two children, Brenda and Michael. They moved to Ashland where Betty lived the rest of her life.  Betty was a hard worker and as a housekeeper for the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for 25 years, she was given an award for never missing a day of work. After retiring from UNL, she worked in housekeeping at Mahoney State Park for 15 years. Betty was able to live at home until a few months ago, when she moved to the Waverly Care Center.

She is survived by daughters, Brenda Knollenberg, Hickman, NE, Shari Clark, Vicky Tibbons & husband Marvin, all Ashland, NE; son Tom Fick & wife Cathy, Palmyra, NE; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; sisters, Vivian, Susie and Jessie; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husbands Thomas Fick and Emil Kulhanek; son Michael; siblings Maxine, Dale, Dorothy, Donnie, Jerry, Robert & Frank.