FULLAR, Betty Claire 1917-2007

FULLAR, BARRY, JEST, GANGE, MCELROY, ZAHN, CRAFT

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/15/2013 at 20:53:13

[Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Friday, May 9, 2007]

Betty Fullar, 89, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on Monday, May 7, 2007 after a brief hospitalization. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Betty was born in Livingston, Mont., on May 31, 1917, the daughter of Mina Lindmark and Harry Jest Barry. She moved to Waterloo as a child with her mother and stepfather, Ray Gange, and attended the Kingsley School. Betty graduated from West High School with salutatorian honors.

After high school, Betty went to work for radio station WMT whose studios were located in the old Russell Lamson Hotel. There she met Harry Craft, a professional baseball player. They were married in 1938 and had a son, Thomas Harry Craft, in 1942.

Following her divorce from Harry in 1947, Betty went to work, as a stenographer, for the Iowa Mutual Insurance Co. of Dewitt and later the Underwriters Adjustment Co.

Betty married Ralph J. "Mac" McElroy - the founder of KWWL radio (and later TV) - in 1955. During their marriage, Betty was able to focus on volunteer work - something she dearly enjoyed. She worked exhaustively for the American Lung Association and the Red Cross, where she helped with blood deliveries to local hospitals. Betty also worked in the gift shop (and pushed the "baby carts") as a member of the Schoitz Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, now the Covenant Medical Center Auxiliary. When "Mac" passed away in February 1965, Betty remained in Waterloo, watching her son graduate from the University of Iowa and later marry.

Betty was introduced to Charles Fullar, a captain for Ozark Airlines, in late 1965. They were married in February 1966, after a whirlwind courtship, and shared time (for many years) in Waterloo, Hawaii and California. Chuck passed away in June 1991, shortly after the celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary.

In addition to her volunteer work, Betty loved playing golf, spending time with her friends and enjoyed her family. She was a long time member of The Sunnyside Country Club and a lifetime member of The Waterloo Women's Club, as well as The Waterloo Elklets.

Betty was always concerned about others and often selflessly gave of her time, her talent and her support to those causes she believed deeply in. She did not seek the spotlight, though - doing what she did for the simple joy of it. Betty was a guiding influence to the family, friends and loved ones she now leaves behind.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mina Gange; her father, Harry Jest Barry; her stepfather, Ray Gange; her sister, Patricia Zahn; two men she deeply loved, Ralph McElroy and Charles Fullar; several friends; and her only son, Thomas.

Betty is survived by her brother, Jack Gange of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; her beloved daughter, Carol Craft of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several close and valued friends.

She will be missed …

A private graveside service will be held at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Cedar Valley Hospice at P.O. Box 2880 in Waterloo, Iowa 50704 or a hospice facility of your choice.

Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway is handling arrangements.

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NOTE:

People-Finders.ws shows middle name Claire:
FULLAR, BETTY CLAIRE

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