Betty Lou Dennis

Betty Lou Dennis, the daughter of Arthur and Beatrice (Hodson) Martin, was born June 22, 1938, in Anderson, Indiana and died May 16, 2018, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 79 years, 10 months, and 24 days.
Betty started school in Anderson, Indiana. The family moved to Elwood, Indiana and she attended school there later receiving her GED when she moved to Iowa. Betty was employed by her Aunt for a short time as a waitress. She then worked at a movie theater and sold popcorn and candy. Later she worked as a waitress and cook at several different restaurants. Betty also took in laundry and washed and ironed clothes for several families.
On March 2, 1968, she was married to Carl Dennis. Both had children from other marriages and they blended their families together. One daughter Conda was born to this union. Betty and Carl lived in Audubon and own one of the local bars. When the children were young Betty was a home maker and when the children were grown she helped Carl operate the bar until they retired. During retirement she enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.
Betty always felt she was blessed for the supportive parents and the family she was given. She was an Avid reader and had a huge collection of Harlequin Romance novels. She also enjoyed crocheting.
Preceding her in death was her son Dennis Drake; her parents; her brothers Thomas and wife Gloria Hughes and Arthur Eugene Martin, Jr.; her mother-in-law and father-in-law Fred D. and Ethel Dennis; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Robert and wife Vera Dennis, Eloise and husband Jens Madsen, and John and wife Mary Dennis.
Survivors include her husband Carl Dennis of Exira, Iowa; her children Terrie Blohm of Audubon, Iowa, John and wife Neecole Drake of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Kelly and husband Devin Beaty of Atlantic, Iowa and Conda Dennis-Thompson and husband Jerry of Audubon, Iowa; her step son Paul and wife Teresa Dennis of Middletown, Indiana; 9 grandchildren including her special granddaughter Mercedes Dennis and fiancé Adam Claussen of Audubon, Iowa, 14 great grandchildren; her sister Brenda and husband Chris Perry of Anderson, Indiana; her faithful companions Liam and Lilly; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Gathering will be Monday, May 21, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. A Prayer Service will be conducted by Pastor Kathy Kluis and Pastor Steven Frock at 5:30 p.m. followed by a time for fellowship and refreshments with the family in the lower level of the church. A private family inurnment will be at a later date at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa.