Betty Jean Buckwalter was born May 14, 1930, in Wellman, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph Waldo and Barbara (Brenneman) Swartzendruber. She graduated from Mid-Prairie High School. On June 1, 1951, she was united in marriage to Royce E. Buckwalter in Wellman, Iowa. They were married for 62 years.
Betty worked as a teacher in a one room schoolhouse near Wellman before working at the Wellman Savings Bank as a teller. She was active in the Wellman Mennonite church, (Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school director, worship committee, food committee and the Mennonite Women group), and Crowded Closet.
Betty enjoyed plants, quilting, knitting, cooking, sewing, and storytelling. She also loved traveling with her husband and family, the family’s cabin on Lake Delhi, and wintering in Arizona. She truly loved her family and most of all her grandchildren.
Betty passed away Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, at Parkview Home in Wellman at the age of 92 years old.
Betty is survived by her three children: Tom (Paula) Buckwalter of Wellman, Jane (Duane) Mauldin of Mesa, Arizona, and John Buckwalter of Scottsdale, Arizona; six grandchildren: Anthony (Kalie) Mauldin, Ruth (Tyler) Krivanek, Anne Buckwalter (Fiancé, Josh Tyson), Renee (Logan) Swartzendruber, Kamryn Buckwalter and Jack Buckwalter; two great-grandchildren: Eloise Mauldin and Baylor Krivanek; two sisters: Lois Rutt and Dorothea (Sterling) Schweitzer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Royce; and nephew: John Rutt
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at Wellman Mennonite Church. Pastor David Heusinkveld will be officiating. Burial will be at the Wellman Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday Sept. 16, 2022, at Powell Funeral Home in Wellman. A memorial fund has been established for Crowded Closet, Compassus Hospice, and Wellman Mennonite Church. Messages may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com
