ONKEN, Betty Jean Kathryn 1923-2003

ONKEN, CASE, LEZOTTE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/10/2009 at 15:40:46

OSAGE, IOWA — Betty Jean Kathryn Onken, 79, of Osage, died Sunday (July 20, 2003) at the Mitchell County Regional Health Care Center, Hospice Unit in Osage.

She was born August 4, 1923, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Dana Moran Lezotte and Hazel Marie (Case) Lezotte. When she was a year old, her parents moved to New Hampton, where her father was depot agent for the Milwaukee Railroad. He passed away when she was 12.

Betty Jean completed 11th grade in New Hampton, and graduated from high school in Robinsdale, Minn., while living with her Uncle Roy Case and family. Her mother moved to Osage.

Betty Jean married Arthur Henry Onken on Feb. 21, 1948, in Dubuque, in a double wedding with Edward and Evelyn Squier. She worked 10 years for Burnham and Warren Insurance, and 25 years at the Osage Junior High School, retiring at age 62. Her husband retired from L.R. Falk Construction Company the following year. Betty Jean and Arthur enjoyed camping for many years while their health permitted. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1998 with Ed and Evelyn Squier.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, 702 State St., Osage, with the Rev. Gary Gilbert officiating. Interment will be in the Osage Cemetery.

Visitation was held on Monday, July 21, 2003, at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Betty Jean is survived by her loving husband, Arthur Onken of Osage; a son, Eugene Onken and his special friend, Susan Bobus of Niles, Mich.; three grandchildren, Dawn Monica, Staci Meggs and her husband Billy, and Matthew Onken all of Niles, Mich.; six great-grandchildren, Paige, Chloe, Joseph, Jacob, Tyler and Zoey all of Niles, Mich.; three brothers-in-law, Frank (Ruth) Onken of Rudd, James (Jean) Onken of Osage, and Eno Onken of Arizona; two sisters-in-law, Donna Onken of Omaha, Neb., and Jennie Adams of Osage and their families.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Dana and Hazel Lezotte; an infant brother; an infant sister; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage, (641) 732-3706.

[Mason City Globe Gazette]