Betty Jean (Williams) MCLENNAN

MCLENNAN, WILLIAMS, DARLING, APPELGATE, BARTHELD, RUMMENS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/8/2012 at 13:46:29

November 4, 1927 --- March 31, 2012

Greene, IA — Betty Jean (Williams) McLennan, of Belmond, passed away on March 31, 2012, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, Ia. Visitation will be today, Tuesday, April 3 from noon to 2 p.m. with the funeral service at 2 p.m. at the Reid’s Funeral Chapel in Greene.

Betty was born in Houston County, Minn., on November 4th, 1927, the daughter of Raymond and Elsie (Darling) Williams. She received her education in New Albin. In November of 1945 she moved to Charles City where she worked at the Cedar Valley Hospital for seven years. On April 10th, 1952, she was united in marriage to James R. McLennan of Greene. They lived in Chula Vista, Calif., where she continued to work in the hospital, until her husband was discharged from the United States Marine Corps. They moved home to Greene and operated a cafe/tavern for a short time. Her husband was hired by Standard Oil in 1956 and was transferred to Independence, Kan., and then to Garden City, Kan. It was then that she attended vocational school in Topeka, Kan., and received her license as an Activity Director for Care Centers. She worked at the Briar Hill Manor Care Facility and when her husband was transferred to Storm Lake, she was the assistant activity director there at Buena Vista Manor until 1981. After her husband’s retirement the family moved back to Greene.

Betty spent the last seven years living in Belmond near her son and daughter-in-law. Betty was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church and served in many areas of need in the church through the years. In 1996 she became a hospice volunteer for Bremer-Butler County. She and her husband took many fishing trips to Canada, South Dakota, Minnesota and throughout Iowa. She enjoyed hunting, was a bowler for many years, and a golfer. She and her husband took many trips to Chicago and St. Louis to see baseball games.

Betty is survived by her son James A. McLennan and his wife Lucy, two sisters, Joyce (Bill) Appelgate of Cummings, and Darlene Bartheld of Lakewood, Calif., three grandchildren, Jamie McLennan of Ames, Jered McLennan of Hampton, and Jordan McLennan of Cedar Falls, two grandchiIdren by marriage, Sarah Rummens and her daughter Lillian, and Jess Rummens, his wife Sarah and son Calvin. Preceding her in death were her husband James of 45 years, two brothers, Dale and Richard Williams, and her parents Elsie and Ray Williams.

She was a wonderful wife, sister, mother and grandmother and will be missed by all whom she touched. Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Belmond Rehabilitation Center of Belmond, 1107 Seventh St. N.E., Belmond, IA 50421. Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Chapel, 519 N. First St. Greene, IA.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
April 3, 2012