Betty Morgan

Services for Betty Ilene Morgan were held Dec. 20 at the Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson.

Pastor Ryan Lenerz, of Ashworth Road Baptist Church in West Des Moines, provided words of comfort.

Honorary casket bearers were Terra Morgan, Beth Morgan, Katie Moody, Brittney Machovec, Brooke Hendrickson, Karlee Morgan, Pat Murphy and Jack Murphy.

Casket bearers were Brian Morgan, Troy Morgan, Gabe Morgan, Frank Howey, Pat Howey, Mike Howey and Brad Wolf. 

Recorded music selected was “Go Rest High” by Vince Gill and “Amazing Grace”  by Alan Jackson.

Interment took place at Wright Cemetery, Jefferson.

Following services at the cemetery was a luncheon at St. Joseph Parish Center in Jefferson.

Betty Ilene Morgan, daughter of George William Howey and Enid Claire Benton Howey, was born June 15, 1931, on a farm near Guthrie Center.  

Betty died Dec. 15 at Kennybrook in Grimes, where she had been living with her dear husband, Eddie, the past few years. Betty’s family lovingly surrounded Betty and Eddie.  

Betty attended Bear Creek No. 8 and in 1949 graduated from Guthrie Center High School.

She loved to roller skate and that is where she met Eddie, at the rink in Guthrie Center. They were married June 4, 1950, at Bethel Church in Guthrie Center. Betty and Eddie lived true to their vows for more than 69 years, rarely being apart.

When Eddie worked construction, Betty, along with their firstborn Terry, followed Eddie to his work sites, including Minot and Aberdeen, S.D.

In 1956, they returned to farm and Betty was an active farm wife. Their family grew to include Karen Kay, who sadly died in infancy, and sons Rick and Roger. Betty enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, music, playing the organ, family activities, camping, riding snowmobiles and preparing large family dinners. She was a great cook! 

For 19 years, Betty and Eddie spent their winters in south Texas, where they made many new friends, enjoyed the activities the warmth allowed and Betty truly loved being a part of Red Hat ladies.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; brother Frank Howey; her precious children Karen Kay in 1955 and Terry in 1996; and much-loved niece Jeanette McAllister, and nephew Scott Brady.

Betty’s legacy and memory will be treasured by her husband, Eddie; sons Rick Morgan and wife Jana, of Grimes, and Roger Morgan, of Ankeny; daughter-in-law Connie Morgan, of Grand Junction; grandchildren: Terra Morgan, of Jefferson; Troy Morgan (Laura), of Lakewood, Colo.; Gabe Morgan (Jeanna), of Merrill; Brian Morgan (Teri), of Urbandale; Beth Morgan (Michael), of Easley, N.C.; Katie Moody (Justin), of Cary, N.C.; Brittney Machovec (Nate), of Zebulon, N.C.; Brooke Hendrickson (Wesley), of Ankeny; and Karlee Morgan (fiance Tyler), of Waukee; great-grandchildren: Samantha, Morgan, Cody, Taylor, Paige, Andrew, Averie, Braxton, Alaina, Emarie, Annabelle, Zoe, Xander, Carter, Jrue, Zae, Zyriel, Desi and Addison; great-great grandchildren: Maelee, twins Jordyn and Jadyn, and Brenton.

Betty is also survived by sisters Joanne Murphy, of Omaha, and Charlene Brady (Warren), of West Des Moines; brother Gary (Evelyn), of Audubon; nieces and nephews: Frank, Cindy, Debbie, Amy, Brad, Julie, Judy, Theresa, Mike, Pat and Audra; other relatives; and many, many friends.