Betty J. Hamilton (1945-2021)

HAMILTON, COLBERT, WATKINSON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/25/2021 at 21:21:29

Betty J. Hamilton, 75, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at home with her family by her side. A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 9:00-11:00am, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories with a funeral service to follow at 11:00am. Inurnment at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Riverside, IA. Following the continued proclamations issued by the Governor, physical distancing must be practiced which may require a limited number of people allowed into a visitation at one time and limited seating available at services. The use of facial coverings is strongly encouraged.

Betty was born on August 28, 1945 in Iowa City to Walter and Dorothy (Colbert) Watkinson. She grew up near Riverside and was a member of the first class to graduate from Highland High School in 1964. She attended Paris Beauty Academy in Cedar Rapids and was employed at James Coiffures in Iowa City and Killian’s Beauty Salon in Cedar Rapids. On September 2, 1967, she married Chuck Hamilton at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside. After her children were in school, she returned to work and was employed by LeFebure Corporation and later Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. She retired in September of 2005. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion.

Betty enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events and tailgating at Iowa football games. Betty and Chuck liked to travel throughout the continental United States with their children and grandchildren. They took several trips to Hawaii and Mexico. She once won a trip to Switzerland, France, and Italy. One of her favorite trips was to ancestral Ireland to visit family.

Left to celebrate her life are her husband, Chuck, of Cedar Rapids; a daughter, Jen Hamilton of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; a son, Craig Hamilton (Julie), of Earlham, Iowa; three grandsons, Bradley Hamilton (Emily Anderson), of Hiawatha, Braydon Hamilton and Brodie Hamilton, both of Earlham; her mother, Dorothy Watkinson of Riverside; two sisters, De Knebel and Sue Hall, both of Riverside; a brother, Bill Watkinson (Karla) of Kalona; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a son, Jamey Hamilton; a grandson, Brant Hamilton; and her father, Walter Watkinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Make-A-Wish Foundation or Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The family would like to thank Dr. Deb Wilbur and the staff at Hall Perrine Cancer Center, and Dr. Mary Anne Nelson for Betty’s care over the years.