Bette Spriestersbach 1922-2004

JACOBSON, SPRIESTERSBACH

Posted By: Michael (email)
Date: 2/16/2004 at 10:46:34

Bette Spriestersbach, 81, of 2 Longview Knoll died Saturday, February 14, 2004
at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics following a brief illness.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Bette’s life will be held at 2:30PM, Sunday, March 7,
2004 at the Levitt Center for University Advancement, One Park Road, Iowa City, Iowa. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Foundation for the Bette Spriestersbach Distinguished Lectureship for the University of Iowa Museum of Art. Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.

Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com by clicking obituaries/condolences.

Bette was born September 11, 1922 in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond Bartell and Mathea Jacobson. She was raised in Chariton, Iowa. Bette married D.C. (Sprie) Spriestersbach on August 31, 1946 in Tipton.

She received her BA and MA degree in speech pathology and audiology from the University of Iowa. Following graduation, Bette moved to Rochester, Minnesota where she was a speech pathologist with the Rochester Public School System. She later moved to Springfield, Illinois where she was employed by the Illinois Crippled Children’s Services. From 1977 to 1986 she was employed by University of Iowa Healthcare as the Community Health Coordinator and later as the Director of Disabled Children. Prior to her retirement she was a Program Associate in the Department of Pediatrics.

Bette was a gracious and elegant lady who was calm, organized and unflappable. In her early years, she was a qualified lifeguard who swam throughout her life and taught her grandson, Mathew to swim while in her 50’s. She and Sprie traveled throughout the world and she enjoyed learning about the uniqueness of different cultures. Bette was a good cook, an avid Hawkeye supporter and sports fan. She spent time playing bridge with friends. Reading was a passion for her, especially mysteries by Tony Hillerman and Dick Francis, historical narratives and non-fiction. Bette was a member of The University of Iowa President’s Club and because of her love for art she supported and served as a docent at the University of Iowa Museum of Art.

For seven months in 1981 to 1982 she proudly served as the First Lady of the University, while her husband was the interim President of The University of Iowa.

Bette is survived by her husband, D.C. (Sprie) of Iowa City; her son Michael Spriestersbach and his spouse Geri of Tucson, Arizona; one daughter, Ann Swain Morris and her spouse Terry of Albuquerque, New Mexico; ne grandson, Mathew Swain and his spouse Sasha of San Francisco.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother Richard Bartell.