Betty Lou McCallister

North English-Betty Lou McCallister was born March 16, 1939, in rural Guernsey, Iowa, the daughter of Arnold H. and Marie (Kuesel) Fruendt. She graduated from Deep River High School in 1957. Betty Lou was united in marriage to Larry Wayne McCallister on June 20, 1964 at St. John Lutheran Church, in rural Victor, Iowa. Betty Lou and Larry lived in Colorado for two years while Larry served in the United States Army and then moved back to the North English area to farm. Betty Lou was a homemaker and then worked for many years in the kitchen at the English Valley Care Center. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, in Williamsburg. Betty Lou enjoyed gardening and canning, attending flea markets and craft shows, collecting cookbooks, going on vacations, and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. She and Larry were so proud to have all three girls earn college degrees. Betty Lou especially loved spending time with her husband, Larry, and their children and grandchildren at the farm. Betty Lou died Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the English Valley Care Center, in North English at the age of 85 years. 

She is survived by her three daughters, Annette (Mark) Shannahan, of Parnell, Shari (Jeff) Bruck, of Denison, and Bonnie (David) Schlak, of Marengo; 9 grandchildren, Chris Spicer, Kailey, Leah and Megan Shannahan, Madison, Katelyn and Jacob Bruck, Kyle and Grace Schlak; brothers Keith (Joyce) Fruendt of Colorado and Allen (Ann) Fruendt of Michigan; sister-in-law Judy (Jim) Tinnes of Webster and her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Larry in May, sister Gloria and brother Richard.

Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am on Monday, September 9, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. Burial will be in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00-4:00 pm at Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. Memorials may be given to Essence of Life Hospice or St. Paul Lutheran Church. Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg is caring for Betty Lou and her family. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com