Elizabeth “Betty” Jo Langreck, 60, of West Union, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Betty was born on July 24, 1964, in West Union to Irvin and Alma (Winter) Ameling. She graduated from Turkey Valley High School and married Jeff Langreck on July 21, 1984, in St. Lucas. Together, they raised two kids, Adam and Kelly, and built a life filled with love, hard work, and a lot of laughs.
Betty spent over 20 years working in housekeeping at Palmer Lutheran Hospital, where she took pride in doing her job well and making people feel cared for.
She had a playful streak and a legendary sense of humor. She’d greet you with “Hey, how’s your apples?” followed by her unmistakable mischievous laugh. She could prank call with the best of them, pretending to sell something just to hear you try to squirm your way out of it. She’d point at your shirt just to flip your nose, make up songs out of nowhere, and say things like, “He’s got a hooky and a hime in his pocket all the time, he’s a hajo,” and somehow it made perfect sense—if you knew Betty.
She loved children and had a natural warmth that made people feel instantly at home. Whether it was nieces and nephews or her own grandchildren, kids gravitated to her. And when she wasn’t cracking jokes or singing something ridiculous, you could find her blasting Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd at full volume, singing every word like it was the anthem of her life.
Above all, Betty loved her family. She was happiest surrounded by her grandkids, laughing in the kitchen, or sitting on the porch with Buddy the dog nearby.
She is survived by her husband, Jeff Langreck of West Union; her children: Adam (Jayme) Langreck and Kelly (Cody Hofmann), all of Sumner; and her grandchildren: Chloe, Olivia, Madilyn, and Abraham Langreck, and Grover Rains. She also leaves behind her loyal pup Buddy; her siblings: Donna (Bruce) Fink, Kathy (Duane) Langreck, Sandy (Steve) Krivachek, Roger (Amy) Ameling, and Jeff Ameling; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who adored her.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Irvin and Alma Ameling; her nephew, Sawyer Fink; and great-nephew, Logan Blue.
A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 2-5pm at the Hawkeye Hall, in Hawkeye. A private family burial will take place at St. Lucas Cemetery in St Lucas.
Burnham-Wood Grau Funeral Home of West Union is assisting the family with arrangements.
“If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?”
— Free Bird, Lynyrd Skynyrd