Betty Leona Sievers

Betty Leona Layland Sievers, the daughter of Dallas and Maude Perry Layland was born September 3rd, 1923, in Hamlin Township near Hamlin, Iowa. She died March 18th, 2022, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 98 years, 6 months and 15 days.

Betty attended rural schools in Audubon County, one of them being Leroy No. 6, also known as the Masterson School. She graduated from Audubon High School with the Class of 1940. In 1941 she enrolled as a freshman at the University of Iowa majoring in art education. In the school year 1941-42 she interrupted her education at the University to teach for a year at the Hamlin School. Returning to the University in the fall of 1942, she graduated with the class of 1945. In 1967-68 she took additional course work at the University to obtain her teaching certificate in art education.

On June 22, 1946, she was united in marriage to Fred William Sievers, Jr. at the First Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. They were blessed with four children: Mary Susan, Ann Justine, Frederick William III, and Kathleen Kay. Together, Fred and Betty farmed the home place located north of Audubon in Cameron Township for over 50 years.

A life-long member of the Audubon United Methodist Church, she taught Sunday School and Bible School while her children were young. She served as Sunday School Superintendent for several years. She was a member of the Building Committee which planned for the new church building that was constructed in 1961. She was also a member of United Methodist Women and co-led a Circle with her friend and fellow-member, Betty Larsen in the 1970s.

Over the years Betty used her skills and talents to benefit various organizations within the community. She helped lead the Cameron Future Homemakers 4-H Club and enjoyed friendships with the members of the Cameron Township Women’s Club. She was also a member of the Audubon Garden Club. Together, Betty and Fred, were partners in many of the activities they pursued. They were both proud members of the Audubon County Democrats and active members of the Audubon County Historical Society. Betty served as that organization’s secretary for twenty years. She edited the 1978 Audubon Centennial History book, collecting and compiling the history of businesses, organizations, and families in the community of Audubon. In 1987 Fred and Betty received the Audubon Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award for devoted service to the community.

After Fred’s death in 2003, Betty continued to live in her home at their farm. During the winter of 2020 she resided at the Exira Care Center in the assisted living wing and returned to the farm as the weather warmed in the spring. In September 2021, she entered the Friendship Home under Hospice care, where she resided until her death on March 18, 2022.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Fred W. Sievers, Jr., her parents Dallas and Maude Layland, an infant brother, her brother Franklin Layland, her sister Lorraine Layland Zieser, her nephew Franklin Layland, Jr. She is survived by daughter Susan Sievers and son Fred Sievers III, both of Audubon, Iowa, daughter Ann Kuntzweiler of Clancy, Montana, and daughter Kathy Hones of Ripon, Wisconsin; her grandchildren: Erin Kuntzweiler Gonzales and husband Mark Gonzales of Santa Rosa, California, Greta Kuntzweiler of Louisville, Kentucky, Martin Kuntzweiler and wife McKenzie of Helena, Montana, Orion Hones and wife Sarah of Chula Vista, California, Ariana Hones of West Allis, Wisconsin, and Marcel Hones of Northfield, Minnesota; five great-grandchildren: Isabella, Sequoia, and Sawyer Kuntzweiler and Cruz and Lola Gonzales. Also, her sister-in-law, Darlene Layland of the Exira Care Center, along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorials may be sent to the Audubon Methodist Church Youth Camp Fund, the Audubon Friendship Home, or the Audubon County Memorial Hospital.