Betty Helen Gisleson, 91, of Elgin, Iowa died Sunday, July 2, 2017 at Maple Crest Manor, Fayette, Iowa. Betty was born October 27, 1925 to Edwin and Hilda (Koester) Jacobson in Eldorado, Iowa. She attended country school near Eldorado through the eighth grade.
Betty was united in marriage with Clifford Gisleson on July 29, 1950 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. To this union, two children were born. As a teenager, she worked as a cashier at Bostrom’s in West Union. Betty also worked at Klingman’s Clothing Store in Elgin, Iowa and at the United States Post Office as a clerk and a substitute carrier for thirty years. Betty was a member of the Elgin Lutheran Church, WELCA and Elgin American Legion Auxilary. She was known as the potato salad lady for the Elgin Lions Fish Fry. Betty enjoyed dancing, playing cards, trips to the boat and traveling. She loved spending time with her family and chauffeuring and visiting with her lady friends.
Betty is survived by her two children, Debra (Arvin) Appelman of Columbia, Tennessee and Steven (Joni) Gisleson of Elgin, Iowa; four grandchildren, Heidi (Mark) Willoughby, Heather (Brian) Rigley, Christopher (Katie) Gisleson and Laura (Collin) Looby; seven great-grandchildren, Micah Willoughby, Amelia Willoughby, Megan Willoughby, Anna Kate Willoughby, Drew Rigley, Myles Gisleson and Alexander Looby; two sisters, Marge (Luke) Kuennen of Oelwein, Iowa and Janice (Morris) Eide of Elkader, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Gisleson on July 30, 1997; her parents, Edwin and Hilda Jacobson; step-mother, Violet Jacobson; and two brothers, Herb Jacobson and James Jacobson.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Elgin Lutheran Church, Elgin, Iowa with a visitation from 9-11 am before services at the church on Thursday. Rev. David Coffin will be the Officiant,
Burial will follow at Elgin Cemetery, Elgin, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Elgin, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.