Betty Jean Lienemann

Betty Lienemann, age 88, passed away on December 21, 2018 at her home in The Village at Legacy Pointe in Waukee, Iowa. Betty was born March 29, 1930 to Glenn and Ruth (Mickelson) Leach in Niagra, Wisconsin. She grew up in Urbandale, Iowa, graduated from Waukee High School and, after graduation, worked at Blue Cross/Blue Shield. She married Virgil Lienemann in 1951 and became widowed when he was killed in the Korean War in 1953. She married Walter Lienemann, Virgil’s older brother, on December 3, 1954. Betty moved from the city and learned to be a farm wife. She worked with Walt initially on a farm near Grimes and, in 1968, they moved to a farm near Minburn where she lived until the age of 83. In addition to raising their two daughters, Debra and Kim, she helped Walt with field work and livestock. Betty took pride in managing the farm business with Walt for 55 years, and then on her own after Walt passed. She was confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church in Van Meter, was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Grimes and Trinity Lutheran Church in Perry, where she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and weekday classes, and was involved in women’s groups within the church. Betty sewed most of the clothes her daughters wore when they were growing up. Her other interests included cake decorating, ceramics, gardening, puzzles and reading. At age 48, she took up oil painting and painted many lovely landscapes for her family. Betty also loved decorating her home, especially at Christmas, her favorite holiday. Betty is survived by two daughters, Debra (Donald) Wise and Kim Royer; four grandchildren, Michael (Jennifer Wallach) Wise, Brian Wise, Susan (Jimmy) Boteler and Brittany Royer (Ryan); and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Dolores Lounsberry and Wanda (Lee) Borg. She was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, and two brothers, Tom and Dan. Her funeral service will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 26, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home – McCalley Chapel in Adel. Family will receive friends 1 hour prior to service time. Interment will be at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Van Meter. Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Perry or Trinity Lutheran Church in Van Meter. Online condolences may be left at www.caldwellparrish.com.