Darlene M. Betts

Darlene Marie Betts, 86, of Mason City, IA, died, Thursday, November 10, 2016, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, November 14, 2016, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Rev. Kevin Jones officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Sunday, November 13, 2016, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Interment will take place in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Darlene Betts memorial fund in care of the family.

Darlene was born February 24, 1930, in LeRoy, MN, the daughter of Theodore and Inez (Iverson) Roe. She was baptized at West LeRoy Lutheran Church and confirmed at LeRoy Lutheran Church. Darlene graduated from McIntire High School in 1948 in McIntire, IA. On April 16, 1949, she married Eugene LeRoy Betts at the LeRoy Lutheran Church. To this union three children were born: Michael Eugene, Randi Lee and Susan Diane. Over the years, Darlene worked for Mason City Police Department dispatcher (7 years), City Employees Credit Union (16years), and Mason City Monument (7 years) from which she retired in 2000. Darlene enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing bingo, needle crafts, reading and volunteering on Election Day as a pole watcher. She always looked forward to enjoying the Norwegian foods she loved over the holidays like lutefisk and lefsa. Darlene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was a member of the ladies aide and circle groups.

Darlene is survived by her 3 children: Michael Eugene Betts and wife Renee of Mason City, Randi Lee Betts and his wife Susan of Coralville, IA, and Susan Diane (Betts) Cahill of Waukee, IA; 8 grandchildren: Jeffry Betts, Nathan (Candice) Betts, Bryce Betts, Adam (Brandi) Betts, Laci Betts, Cassandra Cahill, Emily Cahill and Sarah Cahill; 5 great grandchildren; brother: Wendell Roe of Mason City; brothers-in-law: Wilford Ring of Riceville, IA, Keith Betts of Mason City, Neil Betts and wife Mary of Osage, IA and Leon Betts and wife Mariel of Clarion, IA; and sister-in-law: Pat Betts of Mason City. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1980; son-in law: Scott Cahill; great granddaughter: Adalynne Grace Betts; sister: Ilene Ring; mother and father-in-law: Roy and Velma Betts; sisters-in-law: Mary Lou Roe, Bedola Walters, Nelda Eastman; brothers-in-law: Gordon Betts, Eldon Betts and Kaye Betts.