Betty Lou Willemsen, age 88, of Monroe, Iowa, passed away on June 30th, 2026, in Newton, Iowa. Per her wishes, a private family gathering and burial will be held. If you wish to send a card, please address it to, Coburn Funeral Home, 24 W Howard St, Colfax, Iowa 50054.
The daughter of John Raymond Taylor and Ruth Cristina (Rosenbalm) Taylor, Betty was born in Monmouth, Illinois on August 3, 1937. She later moved to Iowa to live near extended family. She met her husband and they had three boys and one infant daughter together. Betty took on the important role of being a farm wife. She would garden, can foods, knit, sew, and take meals out to the boys in the fields. Besides helping run the family home, Betty worked for 38 years at Rol-Screen in Pella.
Betty lived a life full of fun. She was always a riot to be around, even if she could be a little sassy. She spent her free time taking in various hobbies. She enjoyed watching races, especially Nascar and the figure eight races in What Cheer. She camped for most of her adult life, spending time outside, and going to the Iowa State Fair to camp for many years with friends and family. Betty and her sister made a tradition of going to the Halloween trail in Cantrill where they made memories together. She also was fond of traveling, always by car or motorcycle to see the sights along the way.
In her later years Betty found joy in the simple things. Doing crosswords, playing bingo, going outside to get some fresh air, watching old TV shows religiously, chatting with her friends in the nursing home, and sneaking away for a trip to Prairie Meadows now and then.
Betty is survived by her sons, Jeff (Teri) Willemsen and Greg (Dawn) Willemsen; her grandkids, Shelli Namanny, B.J. (John) Bindie, Michael (Rachel) Nichols, Kenny Willemsen, Casey Carlson-Mastin, Kelli Carruthers, Tyler Carlson, Johnathon Willemsen, Brooke (Joe Carter) Willemsen, Jacob Willemsen, and Kelly Murphy; her great grandkids, Celeste Borts, Brett Borts, Ali Namanny, Gunner Namanny, Dillon Namanny, Sam Bindie, Brynlenn Bissell, Barrett Bissell, Jennings Carter, and Noah Nichols; two sisters, Mildred Samson and Judy Thornsberry.
She is preceded in death by both of her parents, John Raymond Taylor and Ruth Cristina Rosenbalm; an infant daughter, Connie Willemsen, and a son, David Willemsen; her siblings, Evelyn, Earl Ray, Paul, Donald, Robert, and Clifford; as well as a grandson, Joseph Brown.
