- Date Of Birth: February 4, 1927
- Date Of Death: April 20, 2019
- State: Iowa
Betty M. Dodds, 92, of Spirit Lake passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg.
Betty Mae Thompson Dodds was born February 4, 1927, the youngest child of James Andrew Thompson and Rebecca Welch Thompson in Knoxville, Iowa. She grew up in the Knoxville area babysitting for her nieces and nephews, working in the overall factory for a time, and also working for her future father-in-law in his grocery store. Betty was united into marriage to Kenneth Norman Dodds at Indianola, Iowa on February 20, 1946. They made their home in Knoxville and Everly before coming to Spirit Lake in 1952 where Kenneth began farming. Betty helped Kenneth on the farm until 1957 when she took a job as a cook at the Spirit Lake Community School System.
Betty left the school for a short time in the ’70s to complete her GED and take some secretarial courses at Iowa Lakes Community College. She worked for a short time for the Dickinson County Assessors Office but she returned to the school because of vision problems. She retired from the school system in 1989. After she retired they spent many winters in Texas and traveled with friends before Kenneth fell ill. After that Betty spent time baking, playing cards, and having coffee with friends and family. Things she truly cherished.
In April 2011 Betty moved to Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg because of health problems. Betty was a member of the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Norma (Jerry) VanHorssen of Harrisburg, SD; and Reba (Alan) Munson of Spirit Lake, IA. Five Grandchildren Valerie Van Horssen of Sioux Falls, SD and Christina Van Horssen of Harrisburg, SD; Amy (Damon) Radcliffe; Eric (Jennifer) Munson of Spirit Lake, IA and Veronica (Carlos) Ramirez of Chapala, Mexico. Seven Great-grandchildren Walker and Chandler Radcliffe, Ian and Addison Munson of Spirit Lake, IA; Cayden Van Horssen of Harrisburg, SD; Brenda Ochoa and Caleb Ramirez of Chapala, Mexico. Many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter Jennifer Van Horssen, six brothers, and one sister.
