Betty Jane Axler Paustian, 87, of Traer, passed away Sunday, July 22, 2018 at Unity Point Health-Allen Hospital in Waterloo. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, July 27, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the St. Paul Catholic Church in Traer with Father Michael Hutchison as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in Traer. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 26, 2018 from 5-7 PM at the St. Paul Catholic Church.

Betty was born on March 13, 1931, on the family farm near Traer, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Mamie (Holubar) Yuska.

She attended Buckingham School and graduated from Traer High School in 1948.

On August 20, 1951, she was united in marriage to Elmer Axler at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Clutier and together they adopted three children. He passed away in 1979. On January 5, 1985, she married Lowell Paustian. He passed away in 2015. Betty was a farmwife where they farmed on the Axler home farm south of Traer. They were active in grain farming, livestock, and a hay business. She tended to her laying hens for 30+ years starting with 1000 and graduated to a 10,000 bird laying house. Betty was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Traer where she was active with the funeral lunch committee and helped with Bingo at the nursing home for several years. She enjoyed family gatherings and loved baking kolaches, rolickies, pies, and cinnamon rolls. She really enjoyed her last 1 and 1/2 years at Sunrise Hill Care Center in Traer.

Survivors include her children, David Axler of Traer, Bonnie (John) Kopriva of Traer, and Duane (Cindy) Axler of Newton; six grandchildren, Missy Axler, Michelle (Alex) Atcher, Bo Axler, Paige Axler, Matt (Jaime) Kopriva, and Rachel Kopriva; eight great-grandchildren; step-children, Jerry Paustian of Gladbrook, Judy (Ron) Dolash of Toledo, and Joleen (Ron) Jepsen of West Des Moines; one brother, Glen (Dorothy) Yuska of Traer; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two husbands, Elmer and Lowell; two sisters, Elsie Cizek, and Vivian Kvidera.

A memorial fund has been established.

A special thanks to the staff and her extended family at Sunrise Hill Care Center.