Bethany L. Poulin

Bethany L. (Melby) Poulin, 41, of Riley, Kansas, passed away on August 19, 2026.

Bethany was born in Belleville, Kansas, to Steve and Terri Melby where she received her only tan after several days under the billie lights. The kind nurses would have her face the window to show off for onlookers. She would immediately turn to face the other way.

Bethany was strong and independent from the womb. Bethany was brought home to the funeral home in Mankato where Steve worked and they lived. She tasked herself quickly learning to not just turn her head, but climb out of her crib and open containers adults could not.

Bethany learned many wonderful life skills living at the funeral home. She learned how to greet and converse with others, answer telephone calls and take messages, along with hospitality and compassion. As the oldest of three, she enjoyed babysitting neighbors and later nieces and nephews. Bethany enjoyed working with her hands. She was talented at making bows and arranging flowers, a skill discovered over the years admiring beautiful arrangements she helped carry or display when asked to help by dad. Through setting up and taking down flower stands and chairs over the years she learned a love for organization and inventory which she used in her employment throughout her life: Coast to Coast Mankato, Kiers Thriftway, Buffalo Roam Steakhouse, True Value Laramie, Pepsi Laramie, Laramie Tire and many others.

Bethany attended Mankato Elementary and Junior/Senior High School in Mankato, Kansas. She played the flute and was made drum majorette. She enjoyed participating in volleyball, basketball, FFA, choir, track and horticulture related classes. She graduated with the class of 2003.

Bethany moved to Laramie, Wyoming, in the fall of 2003. She enjoyed attending the University of Wyoming and working, but there she found numerous hobbies to enjoy the beautiful hidden areas family and friends showed her. Bethany began gardening with a greenhouse, snowmobiling, four wheeling, kayaking and was always eager to learn new skills even if she became covered in mud. She continued to enjoy hunting and fishing which she learned with her dad and brother Aaron.

Bethany moved back to Kansas in 2022. She married Eric Poulin on April 18, 2025, and became step-mom to Colby and Camryn. They shared a love of nature and were often on the lake together or on other beautiful adventures. Bethany was proud of Colby’s commitment to the United States Army stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, 110th Airborne Division of the 6th Division Engineer Battalion, Private 2nd class as a Horizontal Construction Engineer.

Bethany was preceded in death by her grandparents Harvey and Betty (Thompson) Melby, Lois (Luckey) Woods, W. Rex Woods; Aunt Pam (Woods) Nowak, Uncle Dave Nowak, and cousin Torah Hull.

Bethany is survived by her husband Eric Poulin; stepsons Colby and Camryn Poulin; parents Steve and Terri Melby; sister Ericka (Clint) Berry; brother Aaron (Alex) Melby; niece Colleen Berry; nephew Declan Berry; Uncle Rod (Sue) Woods; Aunt Lydia (Paul) Steinlage; cousins Chrissy Nowak; Kelle Nowak and Jace and Tyler Hull; Ryan (Jessica) Woods and Shiloh; Hillary (Tyler) Cotham and Leo and Ada; Alex (Ashton) Steinlage and Jethro and Kaius; Theo (Haley) Steinlage and Colbie and Kori; Nate Steinlage and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 11:00 am, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Kansas. Graveside services will be held later that afternoon at 1:30 pm, at Riverview Cemetery in Scandia.

Visitation will be Tuesday, August 25th, starting at 1:00 pm, at Melby Mortuary in Mankato, where the family will greet friends starting at 4 pm.

Memorials are requested to the Salina Police Department Excellent Fund, and may be mailed in care of the family to Melby Mortuary, PO Box 382, Mankato, Kansas, 66956.

Melby Mortuary of Mankato is assisting Bethany’s family with these arrangements.