Bryan Chester Betts

Bryan Chester Betts, the son of Elmer Burton and Ellen Elizabeth (Osborne Bryan) Betts, was born on May 31, 1924, at his parents’ home in rural Guthrie County, Iowa, and died September 23, 2018, at the Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa, at the age of 94 years, 3 months, and 21 days.
Bryan was baptized and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Wichita, Iowa, attended rural school in Guthrie County, Iowa, and then helped his father on the family farm.
On February 27, 1944, he was united in marriage to Dorothy May Siemsen at the Methodist Church in Glidden, Iowa, and they were blessed with three children: Philip, Kathleen, and Linda.
They operated the family farm for several years, during which Bryan also attended auctioneering school and, along with farming, he operated his own auction house in Audubon and Carroll, Iowa for many years, eventually closing the Carroll location and concentrating his efforts in Audubon. Always wanting to keep busy, Bryan also obtained his insurance license and operated his own agency, focusing on crop insurance and working as a crop adjuster until he sold the business and retired.
Bryan and Dorothy enjoyed many years of retirement together until she passed away on January 25, 2014, and he lived in his own home until he moved to the Thomas Rest Haven on August, 30, 2018. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon.
One of Bryan’s favorite activities was playing with The Snowbirds, a band he founded with his sister Mildred, in which he played the guitar and sang – two of his other passions. The Snowbirds travelled throughout Iowa playing at care centers, nursing homes and some churches. Bryan also enjoyed woodworking in his own shop and creating wooden keepsakes for others.
He was a member of the Lions Club, serving in many ranks, including President and District Governor, and was instrumental in developing the toy tractor fundraiser, which continues today. Bryan was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying. He was a member of the Audubon Airport Board for more than 19 years, and served as a member of the Civil Air Patrol for more than 40 years – an accomplishment he was very proud of.
Bryan took great pleasure in spending time with family, and particularly enjoyed attending family reunions and spending time with his grandchildren.
Bryan was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy M. Betts; his daughter-in-law, Carol Betts; his parents; brothers and sisters Melvin Betts, Opal and husband Junior Shoaf, and Mildred and her husband Duane Herron; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Bea Siemsen, Bessie and husband Lawrence Nielsen, Nellie and husband Lavern Farley, Doris and husband Bob Booton, and Charles and wife Dorlee Siemsen, John Siemsen, and Dale George.
Survivors include his children Philip and wife Olena Betts of Audubon, Iowa; Kathy and husband Darwin Shoesmith of Marion, Iowa; Linda and husband James Johnson of Oregon City, Oregon; grandchildren Kimberly and husband Jim Goecke of Audubon, Iowa; Kristie and husband Robert Nielsen of Hamlin, Iowa; Kevin and wife Carrie Betts of Audubon, Iowa; Keith Shoesmith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Karessa and husband Brian Ollinger of Robins, Iowa; Marni Bramstedt of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Wendy Johnson of Oregon; and Aaron Johnson of Beaverton, Oregon; 13 great grandchildren and one great-great-grandson; his sister Darlene George of Coon Rapids, Iowa; his brother Cleo Betts of Elkhart, Iowa; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening at 5:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be held on Thursday morning, September 27, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. Pastor Kathy Kluis officiating. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Keith Shoesmith, Robert Nielsen, Dustin Goecke, Darwin Shoesmith, Joe George, and Brian Ollinger.