Bette Jeane Bidwell, 80, was called home to the Lord on Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, in the Grinnell Regional Medical Center following a lengthy illness. A memorial visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p. m. Wednesday at Kruse- Phillips Funeral Home, Tama. Private family interment will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery, Tama, at a future date.
Bette Jeane Bidwell was born on Oct.14, 1925, the daughter of Earle and Sarah ( Kinney) Thompson, in Muscatine. She graduated from Calmar High School. She worked in Decorah after graduation. She married Leonard Bidwell on Oct. 13, 1945, in Grinnell. She later worked as a crossing guard at South Tama primary school.
She was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, and was associated with several bowling leagues. She was very active in bowling, but also enjoyed camping and fishing. In addition, Bette was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Cindy Lu Ealy; two sisters, Mildred Mason and Virginia Scott; and a grandson, Drew Bidwell.
Survivors include her husband, Leonard; a son, Mike ( Sandy) Bidwell of Tama; a daughter, Sue ( Mike) McFate of Toledo; six grandchildren, Pam ( Rob) Werner of Toledo, Missy ( Willy) Haughey of Tama, Sean ( Sheri) McFate of Toledo, Ryan ( Heather) Ealy of Tiffin, Cody Ealy of Toledo and Michael T. Bidwell of Tama; five greatgrandchildren, Brandon Haughey of Tama, Charity Seymour of Toledo, Cortney Seymour of Toledo, Aubree McFate of Toledo and Autumn McFate of Toledo; a sister, Margaret Chambers of Marble Rock; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.