Funeral services for Betty will take place on Wednesday, September 23 at 12:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home, with Father Alan Dietzenbach officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior, beginning at 11:00 A.M. Memorials may directed to the family for later designation. A livestream of the service will be available for those unable to attend. Please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234 for additional information or to leave a condolence.

Born Betty Jean Karns on September 11, 1927, in Rapid City, SD, she was the daughter of Lester William and Ruby Mary (Rousseau) Karns. She was the oldest of nine children and graduated from Liberty School. Betty went on to attend beauty school and worked as a beautician while she lived in California. After returning to Iowa, she worked as a baker and cook for hotel restaurants and as a CNA at the Iowa Veterans Home.

Betty was united in marriage to Frank Foster in February of 1978 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. One of their favorite things to do together was go camping. They were married 37 years before Frank’s passing in 2016. Betty was a member at St. Henry’s Catholic Church. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, crocheting, gardening, cooking and canning. She loved flowers and ice cream, especially from Ev’s.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Diana (Dennis) Schultz, of Riverside, David (Sandra) Leimbacher, of Marshalltown, Janice Ulch (Dan Buschbom), of State Center, Dorene (John) Angle, of Boone and Mike (Deb) Leimbacher, of Whitten; 17 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 1 great-great granddaughter; siblings: Carlton Karns, Margaret Ridout and Reta Mae Oetker; sisters-in-law Shirley Karns, Linda Karns and Ginny Karns and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents, Lester and Ruby; great grandson Ronan Jackson; brothers: Kenny, Larry, Dick, Britt and Stan Karns and her beloved dog, Sissy.