Betty Admussen, leader in Native American work, dies at 80
By United Methodist News Service
Nov. 27, 2006
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Betty Admussen celebrates the grand
opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.
on Sept. 21, 2004. A UMNS file photo by Linda Bales.
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Betty Jane Admussen, of Kansas City, Mo., a member of the United
Methodist Commission on Religion and Race and an active part of Native
American ministries in the church, died Nov. 22 after a long illness.
She was 80.
A member of the Eastern Shawnee tribe, she was chairperson of the
commission's Native American Concerns Work Group and served on the
Finance and Annual Conference Review work groups (committees).
Known to many as "Miss Betty," she was an active, lifelong member of
United Methodist Women and treasurer of the National United Methodist
Native American Center. She also served on the board of the
denomination's Native American Comprehensive Plan and was active in the
World Council of Churches.
"She was a dedicated, enthusiastic, tenacious servant of God and of
her church for over 50 years," said Suanne Ware-Diaz, the commission's
staff executive for the Native American constituency. "She especially
had a deep concern for young adults and was very supportive of Native
Americans interested in the ordained ministry.
Admussen, a member of Platte Woods United Methodist Church in Kansas
City, was a cancer survivor who "fought for her life" and was a "lady of
grace and beauty and strength," Ware-Diaz said.
"Her death leaves a huge void in the life of the Native American
community," she added, "particularly among her family, her tribe and her
church."
Last year, the Eastern Shawnee Indian Tribe named its museum in
Seneca, Okla., the Betty Jane Holden Admussen Museum in her honor.
Admussen was born in Quapaw, Okla. She is survived by her husband,
Jim; daughter and son-in-law Linda and Kevin Hendrix; and her
grandchildren, Samantha and Drew.
Funeral services were held Nov. 25 at Platte Woods United Methodist Church.
*Information for this story was provided by the United Methodist
Commission on Religion and Race, with additional details gathered from
the Kansas City Star newspaper.
News media contact: Tim Tanton or Linda Green, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Resources
General Commission on Religion and Race
National United Methodist Native American Center
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