Couple Leaves Legacy To Support Beloved School

Wayne and Betty Nold believed strongly in doing good and giving back to their community no matter where they lived. As avid sports fans of Missouri Western State University, when they passed, they wanted to leave behind a gift that would help make an impact on the university's basketball programs.

With their gift and the support of their nephew and successor trustee, Neal Miller, Looney Arena will receive a sound system upgrade in August 2022. This upgrade will benefit Griffon athletics as well as other university and community entities making use of the arena.

Betty, who was from Galena, Mo. and Wayne, a St. Joseph local, met while Wayne was on leave from the United States Air Force. Betty lived in Wichita, Kan., at the time, but after marrying Wayne in 1960, she worked for the St. Joseph School District as a secretary to the superintendent until they moved back to Wichita in 1970. After 39 years in public school education, Betty retired.

While growing up, Wayne's family owned and operated a farm in Andrew County. After retiring from the service in 1959, Wayne returned to his agricultural roots by managing feed stores. In 1966, Wayne started his career with Albers Feed & Farm Supply in St. Joseph and by 1970, he was transferred to Wichita, Kan., where he managed an agricultural wholesale/retail business for Carnation's Feed Division until 1986. The business later on became known as CW Feeds, which he co-owned from 1988-1992. After 45 years in the industry, he retired along with Betty and they moved back to St. Joseph.

When asked about his aunt and uncle, Neal said, "They were always gracious people."

Neal recalls receiving thank you notes and letters from Betty regularly, thanking him and his family for having Wayne and Betty over for dinner or congratulating them on life milestones. While living in both Wichita and St. Joseph, Wayne and Betty did their best to support each community including the universities in each town.

They believed it was essential to give back to your community and do as much good for it as possible. While living in St. Joseph, Wayne and Betty not only supported Missouri Western State University, but also enjoyed supporting other local organizations by attending Mustangs games and plays/musicals at Robidoux Resident Theatre.

Though not Missouri Western alumni, Wayne and Betty were fans of the Missouri Western sports teams, especially both basketball programs. They enjoyed sitting courtside to be as close to the action as possible. When asked why he thought Wayne and Betty felt it was important to remember Missouri Western and other organizations in their estate plan, Neal stated that Wayne and Betty loved what Missouri Western brought to the community.

They wanted to help make a little bit of a difference and leave behind a good legacy. In their estate plan, they named 38 beneficiaries, including but not limited to: The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Alzheimer's Research, three churches, three cemeteries and Missouri Western State University. These were organizations that they felt passionately about and regularly gave to over the years.

In their estate plan, Wayne and Betty left a gift to Missouri Western, choosing to benefit the men's and women's basketball programs. Neal wanted to ensure that their contribution made the difference that the couple was intending when originally making their estate plan. He visited with Kim Weddle, executive director of advancement and alumni relations and disclosed that a gift of $100,000 was designated to Missouri Western to benefit the men's and women's basketball programs.

Neal said he wanted the gift to make an impact and "not just buy basketballs." After meeting with Andy Carter, athletic director and Marc Archambeau, vice president for advancement and executive director of the Missouri Western State University Foundation, Neal agreed that Wayne and Betty's contribution would help fund an upgrade for a new sound system in Looney Arena.

When asked how Wayne and Betty would feel about their gift going toward the new sound system, Neal said, "I think they would be extremely pleased in knowing that not only does it help the basketball program, which is what they wanted, but that the new sound system will benefit all who use Missouri Western's Looney Arena."

Wayne and Betty were married for nearly 62 years. Betty passed away on Aug. 15, 2021 and shortly after, Wayne passed on Dec. 15, 2021. Their memory and legacy continues to live on through their family and friends, as well as all of the organizations that they gave back to–including Missouri Western.

You, too, can make a lasting impact at Missouri Western with a gift in your estate plan. Contact Kim Weddle at 816-271-5648 or weddle@missouriwestern.edu to start planning yours today. And if you have already made a gift in your estate to the MWSU Foundation, please use our gift intention form to let us know.