Betty Mosell

Betty Jane (Reeves) Mosell, age 90, died peacefully in her sleep under the care of St. Croix Hospice at Fleur Heights Care Center in Des Moines on March 24, 2018. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on December 13, 1927 to Durward and Lettie Reeves.

Betty attended Valley High School in West Des Moines, and met Lester Andrew Mosell of Nebraska, a young navy recruit stationed in Ames, Iowa in 1943. While Lester was stationed on the USS President Jackson, Betty wrote to him faithfully. They were married on December 16, 1945 in her Aunt Anna’s (Hodges) house in Des Moines, Iowa.

Lester and Betty were members of Bloomfield Methodist Church located on the south side of Des Moines where they lived from 1945. It was Betty’s Uncle Cary who helped the young couple move from Nebraska to Iowa in his truck. Together with brother Norval Reeves, another navy man (who had served on the USS Enterprise), they built and operated an Amoco filling station (1946-1960) and Clover Leaf Café near the present day Southridge Mall. They adopted three children, each from a different place, China, Korea, and South Dakota.

Betty worked hard all her life and was employed over the years in many notable but long-gone Des Moines institutions including Bishop’s Cafeteria, Kresge’s Dollar Store, Younker’s Cremona Room (cafeteria), Sorenson’s Gymnasium, State Auto Insurance, Look Magazine, Arlan’s and Target department store on Fleur Drive. Lester worked for many years at Den-Tal-Ez Chair Manufacturing in Des Moines. In their leisure time, Lester and Betty enjoyed bowling, playing cards, going to dances, and making annual trips to the casinos in Nevada. They loved animals, country music, and being with friends. Longtime friends included Dave and Betty Richardson, Betty Kingery (Hodges), and Norma and Gordon Avritt. Throughout their life they lovingly cared for many children and pets.

Betty is survived by her children, Molaan Mosell of Iowa City, Malette Mosell Kent (Dave) of Des Moines, Curtis Andrew Mosell (Jennifer) of Des Moines, and “third daughter’ Theresa Correa (Robert) of Ohio; grandchildren, Jonathon Kent (Lantian) of Italy, Christopher Kent (Lucy) of California, Meggan Mosell Lint (Jon) of Des Moines, Leslie Mosell of Des Moines, and Andrea Mosell (Mitch) of Des Moines; great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Cora, Lila, and Caelum; brother, Allen Reeves (Marilyn) of Des Moines; and many nieces/nephews, and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Durward and Lettie; husband, Lester; and brothers, Norval Reeves, Durward Reeves Jr. (Shirley), and Charles Reeves (Linda).


Funeral services will take place at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa at 12 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2018 with visitation from 10 am to 12 pm. She will be buried beside her husband and just a few feet from her dear mother, father, and brother, Norval at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Des Moines.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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