Lois (Bette) Elizabeth Payne

Lois Elizabeth “Bette” Payne, the daughter of Dr. Roswell Hershel “R.H.” and Lois (Marshall) Payne was born March 3, 1927 in Exira, Iowa and died June 30, 2016 at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 89 years, 3 months, and 27 days.
Bette joined two brothers, Thomas and Jack. Twins, Janice and Janet followed and trailing behind was Margaret Ann. Bette was baptized and confirmed at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa. She attended the Exira Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1944. After high school, Bette worked for a short time at Western Union in Des Moines before she was transferred to Chicago. Bette then worked many years for Dudek and Bock in Chicago and retired from the company. Bette also worked part time as an usher at the Schubert Theater. She enjoyed telling stories about her exposure to the theatrical world and the actors there. After retiring, Bette moved back to her hometown, Exira, Iowa in April 2000.
Bette is remembered by friends and family for her good nature and willingness to help others. She loved Chicago and showing friends and relatives who came to visit all the sights and sounds of the big city. Her large group of Chicago friends enjoyed going out to eat together and celebrating birthdays. Bette was fond of hosting friends and family for dinners. While still in Chicago, Bette often made trips back to Exira to visit friends and relatives and brought life to the gatherings. Bette loved driving. In Exira she volunteered to take friends to her bridge club and many other social events and helped at the Senior Meal Site in Exira.
Bette loved to travel. Some of her trips were to visit her sister Janet in Tucson, Arizona, to Salem and Portland, Oregon to visit her sister Margaret and to her sister Janice, known as Mike in San Francisco. She visited the Northeast United States and Hawaii as well.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her brothers Jack and wife Selma Payne and Thomas and wife Beverly Payne; her sister Janice Payne
Survivors include her sisters Margaret and husband Lyle Wescott of Portland, Oregon, and Janice Boice of Tucson, Arizona, her “adopted relatives” Bob and Pat Nymand and their son Robert who were an important part of Bette’s life; also many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Reverend Antony Mathew on Thursday, August 25, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Exira, Iowa. Inurnment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa. Bette’s family would like to thank the Exira Care Center for the excellent care she received. Memorial donations for Bette may be given to the Exira Care Center, 409 So. Carthage Street, Exira, Iowa 50076.