Betty Ann Blackburn

Betty Ann (Hargrave) Blackburn, daughter of Ivan and Emma (Gadsby) Hargrave, was born on January 20, 1935, on a farm in Clay county, Iowa. She was the oldest girl in a family of 6 children. Betty went to school in Webster City, Iowa, graduating from Webster City High School in 1954. She then attended Webster City Community College, earning a 2 year teaching certificate in 1954. Betty was an elementary teacher in Hubbard and then Palo, Iowa.

On May 31st, 1955, Betty married Merrill L. Blackburn at Webster City Methodist Church. On May 9th, 1961, the couple had their only child, Leila Marie Blackburn. From then on, Betty became a stay-at-home mom and helper for her husband's accounting business.

On May 30, 1993, Betty gained a son-in-law, Jeffery Leden, in Denver, Colorado. She welcomed her only grandchild, Sarah Ann Elizabeth Leden, on November 11, 1999. Sarah added a new member to Betty’s family by marrying Caleb Scherger on May 7th, 2023, in Dubuque, Iowa. They currently reside in Westby, Wisconsin.

Betty lost her husband, Merrill, after 64 years of marriage on November 24th, 2019, She also mourned her son-in-law, Jeff who passed on April 16, 2024.

Betty was a long-time member of Grace United Methodist Church. She provided flower decorations for the altar, attended adult Sunday school and was a member of United Women In Faith. She was a square dancer, like to do flower decorating, enjoyed animals (including her many pet cats) and loved the color purple. She was a kind, caring and serious woman of faith.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband, 3 sisters, 1 brother, and a son-in-law. She is survived by her brother, Ron Hargrave; daughter, Leila; granddaughter, Sara (Caleb); sister-in-law, Judy and many nieces and nephews.

A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sep 2, 2025, at Grace United Methodist Church (3700 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines) at 9:30 a.m., with a funeral service following at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery (3242 5th Ave S. ) in Ft. Dodge, Iowa.

Memorial contributions can be made to Grace United Methodist Church in Bettys name.