Ted Bethell

Paul Theodore “Ted” Bethell, age 65, of McCook, NE passed away Monday, October 22, 2018 at Great Plains Health in North Platte, NE.

Ted was born December 25, 1952 to parents Robert Lynn and Emma Jeanette (Holcomb) Bethell in Atwood, Kansas.  He was one of two sons born to this union.  Ted grew up in Atwood, attending school and graduating with the Class of 1971.

On May 13, 1972, Ted married the love of his life, Dixie (Johnson) Bethell in Atwood KS,  recently celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary.  The couple was blessed with three children; Tara, Clint & Blake. The family moved from McDonald KS to McPherson, KS in 1978 where Ted worked as parts manager for a large Ford dealership and attended Central Christian College & McPherson College, obtaining a degree in Christian Ministries.  In 1984, Ted & Dixie purchased the ServiceMaster Cleaning franchise & moved to McCook, NE.  They sold their business in 1998 and Ted became employed by Van Diest Supply Company where he was employed for the past 20 years as the Area Specialty Sales Manager for the Western 2/3 of NE.

In his junior year of high school, Ted accepted Christ as his Savior at a Bill Glass crusade in Colby, KS. After 3 years of marriage, the Lord convicted him to become the spiritual leader of their family and there was no turning back.  Together with Dixie, Ted diligently served the Lord in the Federated Church in McDonald, the McPherson Free Methodist church and in the McCook Evangelical Free Church where he led adult Sunday School classes, served on the Elder board several different terms, was an AWANA leader, youth group sponsor and especially loved being a greeter & usher. He loved people.  Ted was also very active in the McCook Gideon Camp serving several terms as area camp president and at various times served at the state level. He would never be found without a Gideon Bible to give.

Ted was a past board member for the Nebraska Weed Association and also served on the Mosquito and Vector Control Board for the State of Nebraska.  Ted and his family shared a love of the Wyoming Mountains where they spent time camping, trout fishing, grouse hunting & playing many games of Rook with his brother’s & cousin’s families. He also loved hunting pheasant and quail with his boys. Ted loved his dogs and enjoyed being outside, either doing yard work, always growing a big garden, or tinkering in his shop & was beginning to restore old tractors.

Ted and Dixie were faithful members of their church & have great memories of their fellowship group, Free Spirits, where they enjoyed playing all games. He prided himself for being the “King Rat” of the Egyptian Rat Killer game for many years until the one fateful night when Dave Smith dethroned him.  Ted & Dixie also were supporters of McCook Community College Athletics, proudly cheering on all teams.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; father in law, Raymond Johnson; and brother in law, David Johnson.

Those left to celebrate his life include wife, Dixie of McCook; daughter, Tara (Terry) Lesiak of Clarks, NE;  two sons, Clint Bethell and Blake (Jodi) Bethell, all of McCook; ten grandchildren, Korinne, Reigan, Mario, Ryann, Esperanza, Gahvrielle, Neddy, Garyt, Ella and Tyler; mother in law, Marlene Johnson of McDonald, KS; brother, Thomas (Anne) Bethell of Enid, OK; sisters in law, Connie (Brian) Sabatka of McDonald, KS; and Liz Johnson of Moundridge, KS; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.