Betty Newman

Betty Lou Newman, 68, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Saturday, September 10, 2011, at the Cass County Hospice Center in Atlantic, Iowa.

Betty was born December 9, 1942, south of Wiota, Iowa, to Frederick and Dorothea (Chapman) Eden. She attended country school south of Anita and graduated from Anita High School with the class of 1961. She met Galen Newman and they were united in marriage on October 15, 1961, at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, Iowa. During the marriage they moved to Atlantic and made Atlantic their home. At the start of her working years she was employed at the Atlantic News Telegraph, JC Penny's, American Buildings and finished with almost 17 years at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Human Resources, retiring in 2006.

She and Galen loved to travel, especially traveling on bus tours. One of her most memorable trips was to the Grand Canyon and riding mules down the canyon. Betty had a great love for the outdoors, watching cardinals and in particular gardening and planting flowers, then tending to them. Her greatest love was spending time with her grandchildren. Some of her favorite activities included walking, the bicycling group, LWML, NGA club, the Hospital Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, playing cards and maintaining a close relationship with family and treasured friends. Betty and Galen are also longtime members of Zion Lutheran Church of 49 years.

Left to treasure her memory is her husband, Galen of Atlantic, IA; her daughter, Melinda (Monte) Dressler of Anita, and their children, Amanda Dressler, Danielle Dressler and Danielle's fiancé Joshua Allsup and Benjamin Dressler; her son, Kevin (Kodi) Newman of Atlantic, IA and their children, Alexandra Weir, Kyale Meyer, Kayden, Kaleb and Khloe Newman; her sister, Lorene Lansaw of Madrid, IA; her brother, Lawrence (Joy) Eden of Casey; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy (Charles) Burnett of Atlantic, IA, Gloria (Roger) Cashatt of Glenwood, IA, Sharon Boner of Council Bluffs, IA; her uncle, Lewis Chapman of Wiota, IA; her aunt, Grace (Virgil) Boos of Cumberland, IA; many nieces, nephews, cousins and treasured friends including the card party group who have been together over 40 years.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents; her son, Darrin in infancy; sisters, Margaret (Reid) Wilson and Norma Jean Eden; brother-in-law, Darwin Newman; and her nephew, Mark Johnson.

Visitation is planned for Tuesday, September 13, 2011, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with burial in the First Lutheran Cemetery south of Wiota.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes for memorials to be made to the family for decision suitable to Betty's wishes at a later date.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.