Betty Sandhorst, 74
Betty Sandhorst, 74, Cass County, died Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center in Atlantic.
Betty Lou was the daughter of Ronald Lawrence and Edna Agnes McCurdy Piearson, born March 19, 1939, in Massena. She attended Catholic School in Ottumwa and graduated from there.
She married Harvey Sandhorst, Nov. 12, 1973, in Atlantic. They always shared a great sense of humor. Betty lived in Cass County most of her life, with the exception of about eight years in Ontario, Calif.
For many years, Betty ran her own business, Betty’s Busy Bee, making bridal gowns, decorating wedding cakes and providing catering services in California and Iowa while Harvey worked as a diesel mechanic and truck driver.
Betty loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and found delight in spending time with them. She was known to some of the grandchildren as “Grandma Horsey,” their childhood rendition of Sandhorst.
Her other passion was for garage sales. She also spent many hours sewing, baking, cooking, decorating wedding cakes and making special crocheted and knitted items.
They had several cats and miniature poodles, including Muffy, who moved to California and back with them. Harvey died in 2012 at the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center where the couple last resided together.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harvey; two sons, Gary and Phillip Ranney; a brother, David Piearson; a sister, Grace Louise Piearson in early childhood; a mother-in-law and father-in-law, Pauline and Ralph Sandhorst.
She is survived by her children, Dale Lynn Ranney of Massena, Chel Latus and Ron Knight of Massena, Terry and wife, Helen Ranney, Sherry Ranney of Massena, Mark and wife, Pam Ranney of Red Oak and Bradley Ranney of Massena; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Roger and Sharon Sandhorst of Atlantic, Eugene Sandhorst of Atlantic, Wayne and Donnis Kessler of Atlantic and Gene and Janet Larson of Walnut.
The funeral service was Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic with Rev. Ken Davidson officiating. Committal service will be in the Wiota Lutheran Church in Wiota, following the luncheon at the church.
Roland Funeral Service of Atlantic is caring for Betty’s family and the arrangements.
Condolences and lighting of candles may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.