Betty Jo Thomason Strange

Betty Jo Thomason Strange, 91, of Indianapolis, passed away on August 6, 2020. She was born
on April 7, 1929 in Charleston, IL to the late William and Lina (Guthery) Hacker. Betty Jo
graduated from high school in Fancy Prairie, IL. She worked as a waitress and in sales, first in
jewelry and then in furniture, for Sears, where she later became a manager. Never one to sit
still, she retired, then returned to work, then finally retired for good.
She was happiest gathering with her family. She raised seven children, who gave her 14
grandchildren, who in turn led to 17 great-grandchildren. Her family grew again when she
married Martin Strange and added his daughter Carol and her partner Joe to her brood. She
loved cooking for everyone at crowded holiday gatherings and celebrations, specializing in
homemade chicken and noodles, cherry pie, vegetable soup and deviled eggs. She made sure
no visitor to the large parties on Christmas Eve went without a gift and a full plate.
She never complained, she always listened, she never judged, and she never said a bad word
about another person. She wrote poetry, enjoyed music, loved road trips and was devoted to
finding the positive in all people and all situations. She loved to laugh but she was also a
treasured confidante to her family members and friends.
Betty Joe was a member of Agape Christian Church. She stayed true to her friends with
regular meetings for games and reunions with her Sears friends.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Jack Thomason and her second
husband, Martin Strange. She helped care for her sisters Nellie and Alice, her mother Lina, her
sister-in-law Betty Thomason, and her daughter-in-law Sherry Thomason before their deaths.
She is survived by her children, Jack Thomason; Art Thomason (Theresa); Dianne Mitchell
(Carl); Bill Thomason (Marianne); Jim Thomason (Liz); Chris Stafford (Dave); Carol Thomason
(John); Carol Strange (Joe); and too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to name but
who were always in her heart.
Services are private. Betty Jo’s final resting place will be at Washington Park
East Cemetery, Indianapolis, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to
Wheeler Mission.