Betty Wolken (1941-2021)

WOLKEN, ADAMS, VAN METER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/3/2021 at 12:52:20

Betty Wolken, 97, of Monticello, passed away Friday, January 1, 2021, from complications of pancreatic cancer, at University of Iowa Hospital with her loving family at her bedside.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a virtual funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 6, 2021, at 11 AM on FaceBook Live from the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello. Please sign the online guest book at WWW. Goettschonline.com
Betty was born December 29, 1923, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Thais(Van Meter) Adams. Betty graduated from Monticello High School in 1941 and worked at the Monticello State Bank before marrying Carl Wolken on December 10, 1942. While raising a family and enjoying life on the farm, Betty encouraged farm ladies to get involved in community activities and to vote. She served many years as the Wayne Township General Election Supervisor. Betty was also a 4-H leader and received the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame Award in 2013. She was a member of the FP Chapter of PEO. Weekly she enjoyed the Presbyterian Pie Committee and would not miss the opportunity to make pies and socialize. She was also quite skilled at Bridge and cherished her Bridge groups. Betty was a fabulous cook and dropping in at mealtime was always rewarded, a lesson quickly learned by many. Betty and Carl were inseparable and always very optimistic, loving, and great role models as parents, spouses, and friends. Their Christian faith was very important to them and their family. Together they were involved in the community through church events, civic and fundraising events, school events, and farm meetings. They were avid Hawkeye supporters and rarely missed a home football game or bowl game. Carl and Betty enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many foreign countries and hosted several foreign visitors. Dancing was their passion, and they were frequently found at area ballroom dances until Carl passed away in 2017, just short of their 75th anniversary. They were able to enjoy the pleasures of farm life until Carl’s passing, at which time Betty moved to Pennington Square in Monticello.
Betty is survived by her 3 sons: Stephen Wolken, MD (Sue), Iowa City, and their 3 children, Wendy Wolken Ruhde (Jeff) of Aurora, Illinois, Mark Wolken, MD (Jen Huber) of Anderson, South Carolina, and Jeffrey Wolken (Marion Quirk) of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania; son, StanleyWolken, DDS (Sue Warner), Incline Village, Nevada, and his 4 children Heidi Wolken Monahan(Sean) of Highlands Ranch, CO, Chris Wolken, of Menlo Park, CA, Jon Wolken (Joy) of MenloPark, CA (Nan Wolken is the mother of Heidi, Chris, and Jon), and Alia Wolken of Capitola, California; and son Richard Wolken, DDS (LuAnn) of Monticello, Iowa, and their 4 children Michael Wolken (Teresa), of Monticello, IA, Mathew Wolken (Pam), of Highlands Ranch, CO, Melissa Wolken of Monticello, IA, and Brian Wolken (Ali) of Monticello, IA. Preceding Betty in death were her husband, parents, stepmother Blanche, brothers Dale and Faye, and sisters Clare Kirkwood and Kathleen Reed. Betty’s beloved 20 great-grandchildren are Nathan, Ryan, Adam, Carter Mitchell, Eliza, Will, Henry, Eli, Dylan, Mackenzie, Alexis, Emma, Max, Eve, J.R., Kaley, Ashley Betty, Piper, and Paddington. Betty never forgot any family birthdays
Betty will be greatly missed, but wonderful memories will live on. Memorials in Betty’s name may be directed to the opportunity of your choice. Her most recent charitable interest was the Monticello Downtown Christmas Decorations, in care of the Monticello Parks and Recreation Center, 766 N Maple, Monticello, Iowa 52310. Thoughts, memories, and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.
The family would like to thank the staff of Pennington Square and the University of Iowa, Hospitals and Clinics for their care