Betty Wettach

Betty Wettach, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Sunday, December 26, 2010, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, IA. Visitation will begin at 12 noon on Thursday, December 30, 2010, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel in Mt. Pleasant, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, December 31, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Herb Shafer officiating. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the First United Methodist Church and Henry County Health Center Foundation. Betty Elaine Preuss was born April 10, 1928, the daughter of Alfred "Fritz" and Vera Brandmeyer Preuss in New London, IA. The entire four years of high school, she worked at the Alamo Theater in New London selling popcorn. In 1945, she graduated valedictorian from New London High School. Of the Methodist faith, she received a full tuition scholarship from the Methodist Church, graduating magma cum laude from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1949, with a B.A. degree in Home Economics Education. Summers during college years, she was employed at Mt. Pleasant Mental Health as a stenographer for the doctors. Following college she taught at Mt. Pleasant High School. On August 6, 1950, Betty married Robert Stewart Wettach of Mt. Pleasant at the New London Methodist Church. While her husband attended Iowa Wesleyan College, Mrs. Wettach was employed in the college business office and later taught at Olds High School. After moving to Iowa City, she was employed by the university journalism department as a stenographer until the birth of their first child. In college, Betty was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Organizations and honors included Iota Phi, Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Qui Est., and Future Teachers. Following Betty's husband's graduation from medical school and internship, they chose to return to Mt. Pleasant where he established his practice. Mrs. Wettach became a full-time mother to three sons and two daughters. Their accomplishments in music, drama, and athletics, as well as having two Eagle Scouts, filled her with pride. She was a member of the original Girls' Softball Board and coached daughter Jody's team for five years. As a member of First United Methodist Church, she taught Sunday school for forty years and was proud of the 28 years of chili-beef burger suppers her sixth grade classes prepared and served, raising funds to support seven children in foreign countries through Christian Children's Fund. Summers when her own children were involved, she taught summer Bible school, as well as summer Sunday school. She and her husband were counselors for three years in for Jr. High MYF and one year for Sr. High MYF. For most years she was a circle member of United Methodist Women. Other organizations were Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, and Chapter DD of T.T.T., in which she was one of the first two initiates after its inception. Continuing interests have been her grandchildren and their activities, Cardinal Baseball, University of Iowa Football, shelling on Sanibel Island, flower gardening, and interior decorating. Survivors include Betty's husband, Dr. Robert Wettach of Mt. Pleasant and her five children, all residents of Iowa, Dr. Steve (Dr. Mary) Wettach of Mt. Pleasant, Dr. David (Sandy) Wettach of Muscatine, and Jeff (Barb) Wettach of Decorah, Leigh Ann (Paul) Huser of Sac City and Jody Wettach of Urbandale. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Chloe Huser and Sam, Taylor, Matthew, Collin, Kelsey, Lauren, Paige, Molly, and Megan Wettach.