Obituary of Glenn Bettin

Memorial Tribute Glenn Warren Bettin, age 85 of Minneapolis, MN and formerly of Hartley, IA, passed away on Friday, February 8, 2008 at Redeemer Retirement Home in Minneapolis. Glenn, the youngest of ten children of Charles and Anna (Lenz) Bettin, was born on a farm near Early, IA on August 5, 1922. He was baptized and confirmed at the Salem Reformed Church of Odebolt, IA, graduating from Early Public School in 1940. Glenn married Pearl Zimmerman on February 8, 1942, and to this union their son, Michael, was born. Glenn served his country by entering the Army on March 2, 1945. As part of General McArthur’s staff, he traveled through Japan and the Philippines before his December 18, 1946 discharge. He then farmed and worked at Ammer Hardware and Propane in Sac City, and then in the Water & Gas Department for the City of Sac City. Pearl passed away on September 9, 1951. On June 10, 1953, Glenn married Juanita Wilkerson and a son, Scott, was born. After living in Sac City, the family moved to Hartley, IA in 1964, where Glenn was the local manager for Peoples’ Natural Gas. In August, 1984, he retired from his position as a Weights and Measurements Inspector for the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Glenn was a past Commander of Arthur W. Kirchhoff American Legion Post #288 of Hartley, and also past Commander of Cantigny American Legion Post #19 of Sac City. He served in the Beacon Lodge A.F.M. #495 in Hartley, the Sioux City Consistory, and the Abu Bekr Shrine of Sioux City, serving as Wagon Master of the Camper Unit in 1984. He also served as Patron of O.E.S. Holden Sheaf Chapter #181 in Hartley and was a member of the United Methodist Church. Glenn spent many weekends camping at Okoboji and later enjoyed times at his son’s Minnesota cabin. He enjoyed conversations with everyone and made many friends when he and Juanita spent 19 winters in Arizona and Texas. He was a self-taught wood carver, liked grilling for family and friends, and his eggs over easy. Juanita, his beloved wife of 52 years, passed away on December 22, 2005. Glenn moved to Minneapolis in May of 2007 to be closer to family. Glenn is survived by one son, Scott and his wife, Terri and their children, Genevieve and Nathaniel of Minneapolis, MN, and Benjamin of West Point, NY; his grandson Dan Bettin and his wife, Lori, and their daughters, April and Michaela of Hopkins, MN; granddaughter Michelle Bren and her husband, Joe, and their daughter Amanda of Crystal, MN; daughter-in-law, Jan, and her second husband, Dennis Basemen, of Glenville, MN; a sister-in-law, Joan Wilkerson of Sac City, IA; brother-in-law Gordon Wilkerson of Sioux Falls, SD; many nieces and nephews including Jack (Jackie) Phillips of Sac City, IA; Jim (Sharon) Phillips of Phoenix, AZ; and Leslie Ann Edwards of Dallas, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Pearl and their son, Michael, his wife Juanita, seven brothers: Lloyd, Lester, Everett, Melvin, Ralph, Carl and Cecil; two sisters: Fern and Avis. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery, Sac City, IA. Memorials may be made to Hartley Public Library, 91 1st Street SE, Hartley, IA 51346.