Longtime former Postville resident Betty Vivian Hansmeier died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, in Ventura, Calif., at the age of 85.

Betty was born on June 9, 1923, in Postville, and attended Waukon High School in Waukon, where she met the love of her life, Howard, and thus began a long love relationship for over 61 years. When World War II broke out, Howard answered the call to serve his country and Betty did her part by working in the Ray-O-Vac Battery Co., Madison, Wis. After the war, the young couple moved to Waterloo where Howard started a long career with John Deere. In 1988, the family moved to Santa Paula, Calif., and to Ventura in 1998. Howard preceded Betty in death in 2002 and he is laid to rest in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo.

Betty will be remembered as a devoted wife and homemaker being supportive of her husband and her growing family.

She will be missed by her friends and especially her children, Peggy Letney, Gene Hansmeier and his wife Rosemary, and Kim Hansmeier; her seven grandchildren, Laura Letney, Jocelyn Smith and her husband Andrew, Donal Letney, Daniel Hansmeier, Amy Yakel and her husband Albert, Matthew Hansmeier and his wife Christie, and James Hansmeier; her eight great-grandchildren, Jasmine Letney, Trevin Smith, Chiara Smith, Caleb Yakel, Riley Yakel, Seth Yakel, Emma Yakel and Aiden Hansmeier; her two great-great-grandchildren, Lehua Hubbell and Noah Hubbell.

The family would like to thank Della Dudley, owner of Raven's Haven Assisted Living, and her staff for their loving care of Betty.

Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories, an Overton Family Service, with burial following at Garden of Memories.