Betty LaVonne Nitz, 90, of Toledo and formerly of Estherville, passed away Friday, September 2, 2016, at the Central Iowa Healthcare in Marshalltown. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama. Interment will be held Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM the Oak Hill Cemetery in Estherville, Iowa.

Betty was born on November 27, 1925, in Orange City, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Cornelia (Van Zyl) De Haan.
She graduated from Orange City High School and then Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.
On January 1, 1947, she married Howard Nitz in Blue Earth, Minnesota. There were four children born to them. Betty was an elementary school teacher in Estherville, IA and Tustin, CA.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama where she was active in the Lydia Circle. Betty enjoyed crossword puzzles, watching birds, and was an avid reader. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandkids and great-grandkids.
Survivors include two sons, Dave (Diane) Nitz of Tama, and Craig Nitz (Tom Schershel) of Long Beach, CA; one daughter, Marsha (Doug) Cossey of Conroe, TX; seven grandchildren, Sarah (Adam) Hyatt of Marion, Heather Nitz of Marion, Taylor Nitz of Waterloo, Nicole de Rimanoczy (Tim Wilson), Rebecca and Jessica de Rimanoczy all of Woodlands, TX; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; one brother, Stan (Phyllis) De Haan of Orange City; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Howard in 2009; an infant daughter, DeAnne; two brothers, Al and Wally De Haan; and one sister, Ruth Drost.
A memorial fund has been established.