Bernice Bettis

Bernice W. Bettis, age 93, of Albia, Iowa died early Tuesday morning June 19, 2007 at her home in rural Albia. She was born April 25, 1914 in Lucas County, Iowa to Raymond and Lula (Willoughby) Casebolt. She married Kenneth W. Bettis on December 13, 1941 in Brownwood, Texas. He passed away April 26, 1997. Bernice was a homemaker and raised her family with her husband, Kenneth, on their farm on Hiteman Road. She and her husband were active members of Monroe County Farm Bureau and were honored by being inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1996. She served on the Monroe County 4-H Committee for many years, was a charter member of the Monroe County Home Health Association, Meals on Wheels and the Leisure Lounge. She was a charter member of the Monroe County Hospital Auxiliary and helped prepare food for the annual hospital dinners. For years, she co-chaired the candy booth at the auxiliary suppers specializing in her famous peanut brittle. She also worked for the hospital gift shop when it opened. She was active in the American Cancer Society, was a cancer survivor, served as a crusade chairperson, and was a delegate to the national convention in St. Louis. She was an active member in the Albia Woman?s Club and served as the 2001-2002 Beta Sigma Phi Albia Chapter Woman of the Year. Bernice enjoyed cooking, sewing, re-finishing furniture, quilting and following the activities of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an active member of the Trinity United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women in Albia. Bernice was also a long-time supporter and former officer of Church Women United. Bernice is survived by four daughters, Diane (Jim) Flahive, Susan (Ed) Murphy and Janet (Ron) Griffin all of Albia and Elaine (Del) Griffin of LeGrange, IL; 13 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Howard Casebolt of Gladbrook and Bernard Casebolt of Waverly, and one sister Dorothy Droter of Edgewater, FL. Her parents, husband, infant daughter, Kendra Elaine; 7 brothers: Kenneth, Bruce, Bill, Neil, Orlan, Truman and Carl Casebolt; and three sisters: Marvel Scott, Elsie Foutch and Vivian Davis precede her in death. Funeral services will be held Thursday, 10:30 A.M. June 21, 2007 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia with Rev. Kevin Leveck and Larry Bettis officiating. Burial will be in Oak View Cemetery in Albia. Visitation will open after 12:00 P.M. (Noon) on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at the Winfield Funeral Home in Albia with the family present until 8:00 P.M. Casket bearers will be Jeff Flahive, Randy Griffin, Mike Gray, Nick Griffin, David Casebolt and Ray Davis. Memorials have been established to the Monroe County Historical Museum or to Hospice of Monroe County.