TOPEKA — Lorene Bethell said she felt her husband’s presence from the moment she entered the Kansas House of Representatives’ session Friday.
Lorene Bethell was sworn in Friday morning at the formal adjournment of the Kansas House of Representatives’ session. Lorene Bethell was selected Thursday by Republican precinct committee members to replace her husband until the term ends in January.  The widow of state Rep. Bob Bethell will finish his term in the Kansas Legislature, but does not plan to seek a full term.
Bob Bethell died in a car accident May 20 while returning home to Alden at the end of the legislative session. Rep. Bethell represented the 113th District, covering all of Rice County and portions of Reno and Barton counties, since 1999. Rep. Bethell had filed to seek re-election.
Mrs. Bethell said she felt honored to recite the pledge of allegiance and say the opening prayer in front of her friends and family.
“Saying the prayer was a special moment,” she said. “I felt so highly honored to represent my husband, Rep. Bob Bethell, on the House floor.  I felt tremendous love and support. Bob was well respected and I am honored to carry on his legacy of helping others.”
She said Governor Sam Brownback invited her for a private meeting with family members. The family celebrated the day at Los Portales, a Mexican restaurant in Topeka.
“The governor was gracious and everything went great,” she said. “He visited with our family and we took photos.”   
Lorene Bethell said she considers it an honor to serve in the House.
“This is what Bob would have wanted,” she said. “He loved that job. He loved working for the people of the state of Kansas.”
All seats in the Legislature will be elected in 2012. Bethell’s term will end on the second Monday in January, when the new Legislature takes office. The deadline to file to run for the 113th’s two-year term is June 11. The primary is scheduled in August and the general election is Nov. 6.
The boundaries for the 113th District are undetermined. The current proposal would include Rice and Ellsworth counties and part of Saline and Reno counties.
Pam Minix, the Rice County Republican Committee chairman, said Mrs. Bethell submitted a letter May 29 expressing interest in the unexpired term.
“Lorene is a good choice,” Minix said. “With seven days notice of the meeting last night, we had good attendance and everything went well.”
Lorene Bethell works as a registered nurse at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, She has regularly attended House sessions and legislative forums in the three-county area. Robert Booth nominated Lorene Bethell.
Cathy Rose and Marshall Christmann, both of Lyons, submitted resumes for consideration by the Republican precinct representatives from the 113th District who voted on Bethell’s successor. Mrs. Bethell received 28 votes and Christmann seven.
Lorene Bethell said she will not be on the August ballot. She introduced and endorsed Dr. Tom Simpson, a Sterling physician who has filed paperwork to run in the 113th District’s Republican primary. Dr. Simpson delivered a eulogy at Rep. Bethell’s funeral.