Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Barrett 1936 - 2018

BARRETT, ERKONEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/21/2018 at 14:42:28

Sioux City Journal
27 April 2018

Formerly West Union, Iowa and Sioux City

Elizabeth "Betty" Barrett, 82, of Phoenix, Ariz., formerly of West Union and Sioux City, died Monday, April 23, 2018, in Phoenix.

A celebration of life service will be Saturday at La Siena Senior Living Residence in Phoenix. Inurnment will be at a later date in Graceland Park Cemetery, Sioux City.

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Erkonen was born May 24, 1936, to Edward and Jane Anne Erkonen, in Yankton, S.D. She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, in 1954.

On Aug. 26, 1956, Betty was united in marriage with William Gene Barrett in Sioux City. They became the parents of two daughters, Susan and Cindy. The couple made their home in West Union from 1964 until 1991.

Betty was active in the women's groups and served as a Stephens minister at Bethel Presbyterian Church. She was also honored as West Union's Volunteer of the Year in Religion in the 1980s.

Betty attended nursing school at Area One Vo-Tech (Northeast Iowa Community College) in Calmar, Iowa from 1980 to 1982. She was forced to give up her dream of becoming a nurse after being severely injured in a car accident. After their retirement in 1991, Bill and Betty divided their time between Tucson, Ariz., and Lake Okoboji, Iowa.

Betty enjoyed traveling the U.S. with Bill and in Europe with daughter, Sue. In her later years, she enjoyed singing with the Happy Hipsters at La Siena, playing bingo, and attending theater productions.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Barrett of Phoenix, and Cindy (Jon) Barrett Brewer of Sioux City; a sister, Bertha Erkonen of Phoenix; sisters-in-law, Barb Dennis of Albuquerque, N.M., and Mary Erkonen of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents; her husband of 47 years, Bill; and her brothers, William Erkonen and Robert Erkonen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts in Betty's honor go to the Okoboji (Iowa) Summer Theater or the Sioux City Park and Recreation Foundation.