Johnson, Betty I. (1915 - 2013)

JOHNSON, MAASSEN, SCHEEL, CAMBLIN, HANSEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/18/2013 at 19:17:33

Betty I. Johnson - Age 97

Betty Ilene Johnson was born on June 5, 1915 to Julius and Ida (Scheel) Maassen in Fairview Township, Shelby County, Iowa on a farm east of Corley. She attended country school just south of their farm and graduated from the Avoca High School in 1931, at the age of 15.

After high school, she attended a teachers training course in Atlantic, Iowa and this is where she met Jack Camblin, and on August 27, 1933, the couple was united in marriage. They had one son, Thomas. Jack died in March of 1936 from Hodgkins disease and Betty and Tom returned to Corley. Betty met and married Ronald C. Johnson on October 5, 1941. Three children were born to this union: Lee, Gary, and David.

Ron entered the United States Army and during this time, Betty worked at the Avoca Journal Herald, taught country school at several locations, and worked in a ladies clothing store in Harlan. After Ron received his honorable discharge, the family made their home in Avoca, Iowa.

While living in Avoca, Betty was very active in community affairs and social gatherings, such as bridge clubs. She was very active in the Presbyterian church and served as Sunday School Superintendent for 15 years. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxillary and PEO Sisterhood. After her boys were all in their own homes, she spent the next ten years working at the Alfalfa Milling Company that Ron had established. The couple retired when the Mill was sold in 1981.

Betty enjoyed her house plants and traveling with Ron to see their grandchildren. After Ron’s death in 2003, she remained in Avoca and in 2008 she moved to the Avoca Lodge. Betty died on Monday, March 4, 2013 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, having attained the age of 97 years, 8 months, and 27 days. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Jack and Ronald; sons, Thomas and Lee; and a brother, Ed Maassen.

She is survived by sons, Gary and his wife Patty of Clive, Iowa and David and his wife Colleen of Folsom, California; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Francis Hansen of Walnut, Iowa; daughters-in-law Beverly Camblin of Laguna Woods, California and Janet Johnson of Seattle, Washington; other relatives, and friends.

Pastor Eric Meissner officiated the 11:00 am funeral service at the United Church of Avoca in Avoca, Iowa on Thursday, March 7, 2013. Shirley Pattee was the accompanist and Ann Johnk was the soloist. Honorary casket bearer was Kenny Kohl. Interment was held in the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca with Jay Hansen, Harry Olsen, Lynn Hansen, Alan Maassen, Ronnie Schuning, and Darrell Jacobsen serving as casket bearers.

Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
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