Elizabeth "Betty" Arlene Hittenberger, 88, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

Betty was born on September 26, 1937 in Orange, California to Clarence Charles and Mary Faye (Evans) LaBelle.

Betty was united in marriage to Bud (Donald) Bruce Hittenberger on June 24th, 1961 in Costa Mesa, California. The wedding was officiated by Bud's brother Reverend Ronald Hittenberger.

Shortly after their first son was born in 1962, Betty and Bud moved into a home in a small community surrounded by orange tree groves, in an unincorporated section of Orange County, California. Betty and Bud raised three boys and remained in the same house (Bud passed in 2011), until she moved to Wichita, Kansas in 2022.

Betty obtained her teaching degree and credentials from Southern California Bible College and taught public elementary school for 6 years. She then enjoyed a more flexible role to support her children and do some traveling by being a substitute teacher for kindergarten through high school for the Newport-Mesa unified school district. She really enjoyed teaching until she retired at the age of 81.

She came to be known in our circles as the "Read My Hat" lady whose various colored baseball style hats with large letters, "FBI" above the name "Jesus" that was explained by smaller letters revealing, "Firm Believer In Jesus". Some neighbors even admitted thinking she was a new resident if she was not wearing her favorite hat!

Betty is survived by her three sons and their families.

Eldest son Ty, his wife Tammy and their 2 daughters. Ty's first daughter is Ashley, with her husband TJ and their 2 children Seth and Rocket; Ty's second daughter is Amber, with her husband David and their 2 children Judah and Isaac; Son Tad, his wife Julie and their daughter Amanda; Son Tim, his wife Megan and their 3 children Christian, Chelsie, her husband Nick and Dustin.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Bud Hittenberger; and her parents.

Celebration of Life service is on Friday Oct. 17th 3:00pm CST at Regent Independent Living, Wichita, KS.

Online streaming link:

https://zoom.us/my/tammystreasures?pwd=xoKQVhGArCqWYahjErzmfWBFhm2GXt.1&omn=94997637465

Password: Betty

Zoom Viewing ID: 3167129881 Password: Betty

Private Family service to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, Betty requested 300 or 500 piece puzzles be sent to Regent c/o Betty Hittenberger, 2050 N. Webb Rd, Wichita 67206.