Betty Grace (Nelson) FREEMAN SCHWANDT

SCHWANDT, HALVERSON, NELSON, FREEMAN, SHREVE, BAUMHOVER, STEINKAMP, KLINGER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/13/2013 at 15:45:54

February 2, 1929 --- December 11, 2013

Betty Schwandt, 84, of Fort Dodge, formerly of the Williams area, died Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, December 16th at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alden with Rev. Jay A. Jaeger officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, December 15th at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center in Webster City from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery in Webster City.

Betty Grace Nelson, daughter of Laurits and Myrtle Halverson Nelson was born on February 2, 1929 in Goldfield, Iowa. She received her education from the Goldfield Country School. She married Benjamin Freeman on September 13, 1944. They resided in the Algona and Goldfield communities. Ben passed away June 4, 1956. Betty worked as a Nurses Aide for the Clarion Hospital in Clarion for a brief time before working as a nurse for Dr. Dale Harding of Eagle Grove for five more years. On December 26, 1960, she married Paul Schwandt in Goldfield. To this union three more children were born. Paul and Betty together farmed the family farm until their retirement in 2001. At that time they built a new home and moved to Webster City. They later moved to Friendship Haven in 2008. Paul preceded her in death on March 20, 2011.

Betty was a devoted wife and mother, and a friend to many. She always had a positive attitude, and a generous and loving heart. Her steadfast faith and love for the Lord was apparent in everything she did. She was a very active mother and member of the community, serving in PTA, Birthday Club, Thursday Tea Club, and a longtime 4-H Leader. Betty was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alden where she was active in the church choir, Fellowship Club, and Ladies Aide. Betty loved being a grandmother, and her grandchildren were blessed to have many, many fun memories with "Grandma". Betty also had a "soft spot" in her heart for animals, and encouraged many family pets. Over the years her pets were her constant companions, and a source of much joy to her life. Betty loved life and was known for her sense of humor, her good advice, and her strong faith.

Betty Schwandt was called to her eternal home peacefully, while surrounded by her family. Those thankful for having shared in Betty's life include her children and families, David and Ann Shreve of Englewood, CO and their children, David Jr. and Christine; Leslie Freeman of Webster City and sons, Ross and Erik; Leann and Bryan Baumhover of Storm Lake and their children, Lauren (Ryan), Brynna and Brea; Lynette and Randy Steinkamp of Fort Dodge and daughter, Rylie; Keith and Lisa Schwandt of Williams, and their children, Adalie and Kaden; and seven great-grandchildren. Betty is preceded in death by her husband Ben in 1956 and her husband Paul in 2011, her parents, infant grandson, Nicklas Steinkamp, a brother, Lawrence Nelson, and two sisters, Illene Nelson and Margaret Klinger.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, or to the family to establish a nursing scholarship in memory of Betty Schwandt.

December 13, 2013
Fort Dodge Messenger -- Iowa