Betty Jean Ashley 1942 - 2024

ASHLEY, SAILOR, BUROW

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/25/2024 at 23:09:12

The Mapleton Press
9 May 2024

Betty Jean Ashley, age 81, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at the Maple Heights Nursing Home of Mapleton, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at the St. John’s United Methodist Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Pastor Curt R. Copple and Rev. Jena Finch-Manchester will officiate. Interment will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Anthon, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa.

The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com

Betty Jean Ashley, the daughter of Albert F. and Hertha (Sailor) Burow, was born on December 19, 1942, in Cushing, Iowa. She grew up 2 miles east of Midway on a farm and received her education at Cushing High School where she was active in band, choir, baton squad, and basketball. After high school Betty went on to attend business school in Omaha, Nebraska.

On February 4, 1962, Betty was united in marriage to the love of her life, William “Bill” Ashley, at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church-Midway in rural Battle Creek, Iowa. The couple was blessed with two children: Steve and Shauna. The family lived in the Anthon and Danbury, Iowa, areas before settling in Mapleton, Iowa. Betty enjoyed being a homemaker raising her children.

Betty was very active in both the St. Matthew Lutheran and the St. John’s United Methodist Church in Mapleton. She participated in the choir, directed the bell choir, did Braille, and composed the St. Matthew’s newsletter along with numerous other activities in the church.

Betty and Bill enjoyed square dancing and playing cards. The couple enjoyed attending marriage retreats yearly. She also loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and didn’t miss any of her children’s activities.

Left to cherish her memory include her husband of 62 years William “Bill” Ashley of Mapleton, IA; daughter Shauna Hugen of Marco Island, FL; grandchildren Jessica (Cody) Bockelkamp of Harrisburg, PA and Bryan (Anna) Hugen of Coon Rapids, MN; great-grandchildren Malachi and Micah Bockelkamp and Elias and Amelia Hugen; brother Rev. Gaylen (Linda) Burow of Minneapolis, MN; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Hertha Burow; son Steve Ashley; and in-laws Marvin and Dorothy Ashley.