Bette M. Bousum Etter, 92
Bette M. Bousum Etter, 92, of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at Westbrook Acres in Gladbrook, IA. Funeral Services will be 1:30 p.m., Saturday, August 3, 2019, at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown, with Rev. Tom Bower officiating. Visitation will be 12:00 p.m., until the time of the services, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown where she will finally join her high school sweetheart and husband, Bill. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Bette was born January 2, 1927, in Marshalltown to Sadie Mae and Earl Bousum. She was a graduate of Marshalltown High School. Bette was united in marriage to William “Bill” Etter on February 12, 1947, in Rome, NY, where Bill was in the service. She and Bill moved with Fisher Governor Company to McKinney, TX, to help set up the plant there. They also went to Maidstone, England, for a year with Fisher Controls. They attended the First United Methodist Church and the Presbyterian Church in Marshalltown. Bette was very active in the community and was a member of TTT, Beta Sigma Phi, Century Club, P.E.O. and the Marshall County Republicans. As the mother of five, she supported and volunteered with the Little League, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and the MHS Marching Bands. Bette was very creative throughout her life and taught cake decorating classes for many years through Iowa Valley Continuing Education. She also quilted (received two first place ribbons at the Iowa State Fair), knitted, crocheted, sewed and made stained glass windows. She and Bill were in bridge clubs and both loved playing cards and domino games.
Bette will be missed by her children: Susan (David) Gray, of Center Point, TX, Brad (Connie) Etter, of Marshalltown, Robin (Marlys) Etter, of Washta, IA, Janine “Jenny” Etter, of Marshalltown, and Wes “Mad Dog” Etter, of Des Moines, IA; her sister, Gwen Johnson, of El Cajon, CA; 12 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren and countless cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mae and Earl Bousum; her husband, Bill Etter; sisters Laura (Raymond) Gummert, Delores (Al) Warden and brother Robert “Bob” (Jean) Bousum, brother-in-law Don Johnson, daughter-in-law Shelley Hadsal Etter and family member Brian Bristol. Also, her favorite childhood dog, Peggy.
The family would like to thank the staff at Westbrook Acres in Gladbrook and to Compassus Hospice Services for their love and attendance to her every need. You were all so kind. She became even more feisty and humorous in her later years and a joy to be with. She was a devoted mother, teacher and loved by all.