Bettin, Helen Mary (1919 - 2020)

BETTIN, FLUEHR, GOSCH, MORRISON, BAENEN, BALDUS, CARSTENSEN

Posted By: Carol Auen (email)
Date: 8/28/2020 at 20:35:50

Helen Mary Bettin
August 22, 1919 - March 3, 2020

Helen Mary Bettin, age 100, of Wall Lake, Iowa (formerly of Odebolt, Iowa) passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at Twilight Acres of Wall Lake, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. David Viggers will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

Helen was born to Albert Fluehr and Lorena Gosch-Fluehr, on August 22, 1919, in Lake View, Iowa. Her mother Lorena was a professional seamstress and her father Albert owned a clothing store called “Albert’s Clothing Store” in Lake View. After five years in Lake View, the family relocated to Beatrice, Nebraska. While in Beatrice, Helen enjoyed playing her violin in the orchestra and attending school. At the tender age of 14, Helen’s mother, Lorena passed away at the age of 42 and shortly after her father Albert left. Helen along with her sister Betty Mae went to live with their Grandma Fluehr in Odebolt.

While living in Odebolt, Helen rented a room from a family in town. She worked at the local grocery store to earn money to continue her education through her junior and senior year. Helen was the Vice President of her class and graduated as an honor student with the class 1936 from Odebolt High School.

After graduation, Helen had planned on teaching country school, however married teachers were not allowed to teach and she had met her sweetheart Earl Bettin, who had asked her to marry him. The couple were united in marriage on March 30, 1937, in Odebolt. The couple made their home on a farm south of Early, Iowa and were blessed with two children, David Earl and Sally Kay.

Helen became a farm wife and homemaker, but being raised in town she was grateful to Earl’s mother Molly who took her under her wing. She would serve numerous meals to hired men never knowing how many were coming, but she always managed to have enough for everyone. In 1980, the couple moved to town across the street from Trinity Lutheran Church in Odebolt.

Helen and Earl enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona. She liked playing golf, swimming, dancing, playing cards, reading, movies, church activities and shooting a game of pool. Helen and Earl cherished 58 years together before Earls passing in 1994.

Helen’s greatest treasure in life was her family. She relished in every moment spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Helen had the joy of teaching many of them how to swim and play golf. Helen’s favorite advise was, “Today is a gift that’s why we call it the present.”

Survivors include her daughter Sally and husband Brent Morrison of Ames, IA; grandchildren: Stacey (Sean) Baenen of San Francisco, CA, Amy (Rob) Baldus of Farmington, MN, James Dustin Morrison of Des Moines, IA, Tal (Linda) Bettin and Dena Bettin both of Odebolt, IA; 16 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren; extended family and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Earl J. Bettin; son David Bettin; grandson Jay Bettin, sister Betty Mae Carstensen and by her parents.