GRISSOM, Willia J. (1923-2008)

GRISSOM

Posted By: Ida Morse, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/8/2009 at 09:12:53

Des Moines Register, February 4, 2008
Des Moines, Ia

Willa Jean Bettis Grissom

Willa Jean Grissom, 84, passed away suddenly at her home on February 1, 2008. Services will be held February 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Peterson's Funeral Home in Indianola with interment following at Scotch Ridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Peterson's.

Willa Jean was born February 9, 1923 on a farm south of Allerton, Iowa, the daughter of Harley Edward "Bill" Bettis and Metta Marie Belvel. During her childhood the family also lived in Davenport, Iowa, then moved back to Corydon. Willa enjoyed reading library books and often told the story that when her mother was looking for her, she knew she'd find Willa reading a book.

Following high school graduation as an honor student, Willa worked as the new secretary at the Farm Bureau office in Corydon. It was here that her future father-in-law met her and suggested to his son that he meet the new secretary. The rest is history. Willa and David Lavern "Pete" Grissom were married on October 13, 1945 at the Methodist Church in Corydon.

Pete was a farmer. They lived wherever he found farm work, eventually living near Truro, then on the Mulvihill farm near Cumming where he developed his name in the Hereford cattle business. Later he was herdsman on the Scotch Valley Angus Farms where his reputation with cattle continued to grow nationwide.

Willa was a secretary finding work wherever they lived. She was secretary at the Martensdale school, then worked for the State of Iowa and later became a real estate agent as an employee of Black Gold Realty, Caldwell Banker Grandquist and First Realty, from which she retired.

Willa had hobbies galore. She made quilts for each grandchild, she collected stamps, postcards and matchbooks, and she enjoyed taking photos as well as creating photo albums, and in the last few years she and Kathie enjoyed scrapbooking together and making the cards she sent. In addition, through her genealogy hobby most extended family members say she is the one who held the family together.

Willa liked to travel. Their son David served in the military in Germany, so they traveled to Germany. Then their daughter Kathie lived in South Africa, so they traveled three times to see her. They also made frequent trips throughout the United States, especially to the south, southeast and east. Pete did not like to drive in the mountains. Following Pete's death in December 2002, Willa traveled with a group to Alaska, and finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling to Hawaii in 2006.

Willa loved the people around her. She remembered all nieces and nephews as well as other family members on their birthdays and enjoyed participating in various organizations. Willa's faith was a significant part of her being. She was a member the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church, where she was a Deacon. She was a long-time member of the Indianola Avenue Club, a life member of the Wayne County Historical Society in Corydon, a life member of the Warren County Historical Society in Indianola, where she had been a volunteer for over 20 years, and a member of the Warren County Genealogical Society.

Willa is survived by her son David Lee (and Marieta) Grissom of Indianola her daughter, Kathie Jean (and Steven) Strooh of Elida, Ohio, five grandchildren, David, Randall, and Scott Grissom, and Heather and Desmond Strooh, six great-grandchildren and her brother Virgile Max Bettis of Cleveland, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Sherrill Lee Bettis, and her sisters, Marcilee Clarice Bettis Shelton, and Chassi LaVerne Belvel Anderson.

Memorials may be made to the Warren County Historical Society or the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church.