Bettye Wilson

Bettye Jean Wilson, 92, was called to heaven March 13, 2022. Bettye had recently moved to Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, Iowa, where she passed away peacefully, after several months of health issues. Bettye was born May 1, 1929, in Yoder, Wyoming to Henry and Mollie Reitz. In 1939, Bettye moved with her parents and siblings (4th of 8 children) to Lingle, Wyoming, and then settled in Bayard, Nebraska in 1943. She was the apple of her father’s eye as she loved working closely with him on their family farm, driving tractors and shocking grain. She adored her mother who taught her how to cook and sew. Her first marriage took her to Utah and then California, where she managed the cosmetics counter at Thrifty Drug in downtown Los Angeles. Transferring to Palm Springs Thrifty Drug, Bettye met and married Charles (Chuck) Wilson in 1957, and moved to Boone, Iowa, where Chuck grew up. In Boone, she worked at Osco Drug, then spent many years as a professional seamstress, sought after by many in Boone and surrounding counties. Bettye was extremely talented and creative in so many ways – she could sew, knit, crochet, any kind of crafts. She created dresses, formals, wedding gowns, and one year 86 dance recital costumes. Bettye loved to cook and bake, and in 1971, Bettye and Chuck opened The Colonial House restaurant in Boone, and for 20 years, it was well-known for her pies, pecan cinnamon rolls, and catered parties and events, as well as hosting many presidential candidates. Bettye wasn’t happy unless she was busy doing productive things to help her family, friends, and community. She had the biggest heart and gave of her time and talents – always 120% – never expecting anything in return. Everything she did was extra special because she loved doing it. Bettye was dedicated to Eastern Star, having served as Worthy Matron and other offices several times. She continued her membership all through the years, earning her 50-year pin in 2021, which she was so proud of. She was also a member of White Shrine. She served on the Boone Chamber of Commerce Board, and on numerous church and community committees. Upon retirement in 1995, they moved to Bayard, Nebraska, to be by Bettye’s siblings. Chuck passed away in 1996 and Bettye moved back to Iowa in 2004 to be closer to her family. Bettye spent her later years in Waukee, Iowa, where she was active at the senior community center, served on the Aging Resources of Central Iowa board, volunteered at her church, and continued to sew. After open-heart surgery in 2018, Bettye lived at Senior Suites of Urbandale assisted living, and then Bishop Drumm nursing home. She loved people and socializing – she could make friends wherever she went and was always striking up a conversation or a game of bridge, cards, or bean bag baseball. And she was a lifelong Nebraska Cornhusker and St. Louis Cardinal fan. Bettye lived for her children and grandchildren, and loved every minute spent with them. She enjoyed sewing for them and was a Camp Fire Girls leader and a 4-H leader for the girls. It was a thrill for her to watch her children and grandchildren in dance recitals, play various sports, and participate in many activities. She is remembered for being selfless, thinking of everyone before herself, always smiling, and a person of great faith. Her family admired her strength having lived with MS since she was in her early 30’s, luckily never being debilitated, other than losing her sight in one eye. To the very end, she felt she was so lucky to have lived the long life she did with this disease and counted her blessings each and every day. Her passing has broken the hearts of her family and she will be missed deeply. She was so loved by countless family members and friends, and we know she loved us just as much! Bettye is survived by her daughters, Tamara (Marty) Kenworthy, West Des Moines, Iowa, and Dee Erickson (Gail Koobs), Boone, Iowa, as well as grandson Brian (Mary) Erickson, Ladera Ranch, California, and granddaughters DeeAnna Pendarvis (Dean Dybvik), Shay Conyers, and Mollie (Dan) Eslinger, all of Boone. She has 13 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. Also beloved siblings Shirley, Gailynn, and Kathy, and many special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Chuck, daughter Peggy (Mike) Conyers, her parents, and cherished siblings Elsie, Evelyn, Wilfred, and Barbara. A visitation will be on Friday, March 18, 2022 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Urbandale. The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM at the church on Friday. Burial will be at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Boone at 3:00 PM on Friday. Memorials may be sent to Grand Chapter of Iowa Order of Eastern Star, P.O. Box 72, Knoxville, IA 50138; view www.iowaeasternstar.org/projects for project designations.