Betty Bollinger, 86, of Pella and formerly of Oskaloosa, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella.
Betty Ila Bollinger, daughter of Walter and Sophia (Verwers) Van Dorland, was born August 25, 1939, near Pella, Iowa. She graduated from Lacey High School in 1958. She married Willem “Bill” Castel, and they were blessed with two children. They later divorced.
Betty continued her education at William Penn College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She later returned to William Penn for additional coursework and earned her BA+.
Betty devoted 25 years to teaching and nurturing children at Jefferson and Lincoln Elementary Schools in Oskaloosa. She retired in the late 1990s, leaving a lasting impact on generations of students.
On November 20, 1981, Betty married Melvin Bollinger in Eddyville. Together, they worked on the construction and restoration of several properties in Oskaloosa. They also opened their home to numerous foster children for several years.
In 2012, Betty and Melvin decided to “go on the road” for the Lord. For the next ten years, they traveled throughout the United States doing mission work, helping build churches, and assisting with Teen Challenge events. Betty had a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others, demonstrated through her strong work ethic, generosity, and compassion.
Betty and Melvin settled in Pella, where they attended Federated Fellowship Church.
Among the nurses who cared for Betty at Crystal Heights were some of her former students, a touching reminder of the lasting impact she had on the lives of those she taught.
Betty is survived by her husband of 44 years, Melvin; her daughter, Tami (Jim) Hemmer of Peoria, Iowa; her son, Terry (Abigail) Castel of Pella, Iowa; and her sister, Velma Rose Carson of Springfield, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Wanda Van Der Veer.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa. Open visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, August 17, 2026, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Pella Comfort House.
