Betty Row
January 09, 2014
Betty Jeanne Row died January 9, 2014 at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. She was born Betty Mae Molitor in Iowa City, Iowa on August 19, 1923; daughter of Ella Margaret (Fisher) Molitor. Betty was taken home for adoption by Charles Joseph Oliphant and Fannie Ida Mae Dixson Oliphant during the winter of 1923-24. When the official adoption papers were signed on July 11, 1924, the family had moved to Ames, Iowa and Betty’s name was changed to Betty Jeanne M. Oliphant. The family subsequently moved to Chicago, Illinois, and then to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Betty graduated from high school.
Betty married Donald Wallace Phelps, a naval reservist in December 1941, and following Don’s call to active duty, Betty joined the Minnesota State Guard and served for two years, qualifying for radio repair work while in the Guard. She was discharged from the Guard on December 4, 1943 and enlisted in the United States Navy Women’s Reserve on January 6, 1944. She attended the Naval Training School at Hunter College in Bronx, New York, and the Naval Air Technical Training Command in Norman, Oklahoma, and was stationed at the Naval Air Station in San Diego, California, where she worked on the big Navy fighter and torpedo airplanes. She advanced from an aviation specialist, to an aviation specialist second class, to an aviation machinist mate third class before being discharged from the Navy on August 15, 1945. Betty’s second marriage to Lester Glenn Hasselfeld ended in 1950, following Betty’s move in 1949 to Des Moines, Iowa.
Betty worked in the accounting department at Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company for 31 years, retiring on May 1, 1980 after marrying George Russell Row, a co-worker, on August 3, 1975.
She is survived by her son, Corey Charles Phelps of Des Moines, Iowa, and her daughter, Carolyn Judith (Hasselfeldt) Metcalf of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Other survivors include her son-in-law, Richard Metcalf; her daughters-in-law, Jolene Phelps and Janet Woods; four grandchildren, Benjamin C. Phelps (and Caroline), Stephen G. Phelps (and Carrie), Kent M. Lee (and Rachel Rand), and Natalie Rounds (Jay Linzy); and seven great-grandchildren, Miles Phelps, Jazmine Hooper, Abigail Phelps, Isabella Lee, Lilliana Lee, Layla Lee, and Emily Owens.
Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, with visitation beginning at 5:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to one of Betty’s principal charities: Hope Ministries, the Animal Rescue League, or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Condolences for the family may be offered online at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Ben Phelps
01/15/2014
I must have been five - maybe six - and I would oversee Grandpa George's projects in the garage. Not really assisting with anything mechanical. Pushing a broom or - let's be honest, pushing around toy trucks - was about as helpful as I ever got. But he always called me 'Charlie Screwdriver' and that moniker made me feel like a handy apprentice. So when we went back into the house to wash up to our elbows with Lava soap and Grandma Betty was making coffee in the red tiled kitchen, of course I thought I was entitled to a cup of joe for my labors. I sort of knew she'd say no. I had been denied coffee before by my elders who said it would stunt my growth. Grandma Betty didn't really say anything, although the way I remember it she winked. Thirty seconds later I had a coffee in my hands. Granted, it was 22 parts milk, three drops coffee, but it tasted pretty good and made me feel like a 31 year old with an awesome Magnum P.I. moustache. She called it "kid's coffee" and it became a regular part of trips to Grandma's house.
There are a ton of things I remember about my Grandmother Betty Row, some probably more telling of the person she was. But I'll always remember and appreciate how she didn't treat me like a kid just because I was a kid. And the taste of coffee with milk always makes me think of her.
Gayle Van Hooser
01/15/2014
Betty was a unique individual that had the ability, from the moment you were in her presence and she spoke your name, to enable you to feel that were a very important person. In talking with this extremely intelligent woman, you knew you were in the presence of a rare human being that was dignified, respectful, gracious, and loving... someone we can all only hope to be, as we learn to put other's needs before our own. I have been blessed that my sister, Jolene, and Betty's son, Corey, shared this woman with me. Betty is not gone... she lives on in those that carry forth her message of love and respect for others. BRAVO, my friend.
Rick Metcalf
01/14/2014
I am very fortunate in having been Betty's Son-in-law for more than 43 years. She embraced me wholeheartedly from day one. She was a smart, no-nonsense, endlessly inquisitive person with a warm and generous spirit. Betty had a hearty sense of humor and was always a good sport when it came to trying out the new things her kids were always springing on her. We all miss her dearly. Our lives will continue to be blessed with memories of her and her love and friendship.
Jolene Phelps
01/14/2014
Very few women brag about their Mother-in-Law. But I could. Very few women find support, love and enrichment from their Mother-in-Law. But I did. Very few people can truly say that such a significant relationship was without bumps and rocky misunderstandings. But I can.
Betty became one of the heroes in my life not because she was larger than life, but because she lived her life with such graciousness, generosity and dignity every moment. I didnt know her as she grew up and learned to become the woman I met so I dont know why she was who she was. I do know that I never in all my time with Betty, including traveling overseas, hear her utter an unkind word about anyone (well, maybe politicians near the end, but then, even the angles have to be frustrated with that), and always made the best of any moment whether fun or challenging, interesting or boring.
For me, Betty still lives. Shes part of my DNA, not through birth or heritage, but through her love. I will miss her physical presence her insight and strength she has passed on. With all my love, Jolene Phelps.