Bette Mae (Duncan) GINKENS

GINKENS, DUNCAN, JOHNSON, HOWARD, OCKERMAN, OUVERSON, COX, TOMLINSON, DALIN, TAYLOR

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/3/2008 at 12:50:24

Harry Lane Ginkens, 87, and his wife, Bette Mae (Duncan) Ginkens, 77, of Vincent, Iowa, formerly of the Clear Lake/Ventura Iowa area were killed in a car/train accident in Webster County, Iowa, on July 13, 2005. Memorial services were held Monday, July 18, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with Pastor Dave Wiersbe officiating. Inurnment was at the Clear Lake Cemetery with military honors by the Clear Lake V.F.W. The family suggests memorials be directed to the Harry and Bette Ginkens Memorial Fund.

Harry was born Jan. 17, 1918, the son of Frank & Ella (Johnson) Ginkens at Slayton, Minn. His family moved to Missouri, where he attended school, and later they moved back to Iowa and armed. Harry served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Following his discharge from service Harry returned to Clear Lake and worked with his brother, Harold, at their Phillips 66 Gas Station.

Bette Mae Ginkens, 77, was born Oct. 17, 1927, the daughter of Jesse Duncan and Leota (Howard) Duncan at Henderson, Mo. At an early age Bette moved with her family to Clear Lake. Bette and Harry were married Dec. 10, 1950 at Mason City, Iowa and lived in Clear Lake.

Harry worked for Northern Natural Gas until retiring in 1981. Bette worked at Witkie's, Holiday Inn and as a Hostess at Bennigans. Harry enjoyed gardening and animals, reading (especially Zane Grey Westerns), square dancing and listening to Blue Grass Music. Bette enjoyed canning, sewing, Blue Grass Music and her family.

In 2002 Harry and Bette moved to Vincent and lived on their daughter and son-in-law's acreage. They were members of the Evangelical Free Church while living in Clear Lake and when they moved to Vincent they became members of Epworth Methodist Church, Ft. Dodge, Iowa.

Harry and Bette are survived by three children, Mary (Bob) Ockerman of Adel, Iowa; Nancy Ouverson of Mitchellville, Iowa and Connie (Tim) Cox of Vincent; three grandchildren, Jeff (Tammy) Ockerman of Adel; Sheila (Brad) Tomlinson of Altoona, Iowa and Stephanie Cox of Ames, Iowa; granddaughter-in-law, Shari Ockerman, Boise, Idaho; nine great-grandchildren, Scott, Stephanie, Austin, Kyle, Katie, Tessa, Jesse, Hailey and Connor. Harry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bette; grandson, David Ockerman; brothers, Homer, Howard and Harold Ginkens; sisters, Lucy Dalin and Bessie Taylor.

Bette was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harry; grandson, David Ockerman; two brothers, Wayne and Lawrence Duncan.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.

Clear Lake Mirror Reporter - Iowa

July 2005