Betty Admussen, leader in Native American work, dies at 80

By United Methodist News Service

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.