Betty Easley

Betty Louise (Koboldt) Easley (78) was born at home in Earlham, Iowa, on November 6, 1942. She passed away on December 17, 2020, at the Stuart Community Care Center. Betty was the daughter of Wayne and Martha (Wilson) Koboldt. She graduated from Earlham High School in 1961 and went on to earn her Degree in Business Administration from AIB in Des Moines. Betty married Roger Lamar Easley on March 14, 1964, and they made their first home in Prairie Village near Booneville. They moved to Earlham in 1969, living on the same lot for over 50 years. Betty and Roger became the parents of Judith Kay and Jeffrey James. Betty was a home maker and stay at home mom while her children were small. She operated an in-home day care for many families, was an accomplished cake decorator providing cakes for events of all types over the years, and had an amazing ability to keep track of her beloved Dachshunds at all times. Betty put her administrative degree to work in 1974 when she accepted a position with Peer, Nelson, and Braland Law Practice in Earlham. Later, she took her skills to Farm Bureau in West Des Moines and retired from there in 2006. By this time, her youngest grandson had joined the family and Betty gladly re-opened her day care to be his caregiver. She continued to care for children in her home until 2012 when she officially retired again. Betty’s doors were always open, and the coffee pot was always on. Her household buzzed with family activity 24/7 and she loved every minute of it. Betty loved yard work and had a natural green thumb. She took pride in a job well-done and refused to quit until the work was done. Betty was a devoted member of the Earlham Friends Church, playing piano, leading the singing, teaching Sunday School, and volunteering for many events and projects through the years. Betty’s secret weapon was chocolate! She kept a stash in the freezer, in the cupboards, and anywhere she might need a boost! Faith-filled and steadfast, she practiced her faith in both word and deed. Her brilliant smile reflected her inner joy, and her genuine hugs will be remembered by all. Betty’s pride and joy was in her grandchildren. “Grandma Betty” went out of her way to be available and gave selflessly to be a constant presence over the years, never missing a birthday, graduation, wedding, or any other special event! Always available for a phone call or facetime, and never too busy to listen to their stories, she loved every minute with her grandkids and savored photos and stories of her great grandbabies. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Roger (2003); her parents (2005), and her son, Jeff (2020). Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Judy Easley-Marshall and son-in-law, Craig; daughter-in-law, Nina Lorimor-Easley; brother, Bruce (Mary) Koboldt; and sister, Nancy (Koboldt) Basart, all of Earlham. Grandchildren: Levi (Jessica) Jaeckel of Tampa, Florida; Kalika (Jon) Ayin of Aiea, Hawaii; Jenna Jaeckel of Denver, Colorado; Marlo (Sara) Morgan of Des Moines, Iowa; Kacey (Logan) Greif of Winterset, Iowa; Clay Reynolds and Zaiden Easley, both of Earlham; and Zak Marshall of Lino Lakes, Minnesota. Great Grandchildren: Liam and Emma Jaeckel, Aaliyah Morgan, and Baby Greif due in the spring of 2021; many nieces and nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.