Betty Anne Tellis

Betty Anne Tellis
Des Moines

Betty Tellis, age 96, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 15, 2021. Betty was born May 18, 1925 in Culver City, California to Christopher and Pearl Martin. She was raised in Culver City and graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School, also known as Hammy High with the Class of 1942.

Betty began work at MGM Studios as a receptionist and met the love of her life, Albert F. Tellis at a USO dance. Shortly after, the two were united in marriage on August 16, 1944 in California and to this union, seven children were born. The two of them shared 56 blissful years together. While raising their seven children, Betty worked part-time at Younkers and once they were all grown she began fulltime.

Betty was a proud member of the Women’s Marine Corp Auxiliary and loved helping the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Des Moines with her husband. Betty had the most generous heart and had a passion for helping others.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed being outdoors tending to her flower and vegetable garden. Betty was a wonderful person and always saw the good in people. She never met a stranger – never had an unkind word to say about anyone. She will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

She is survived by her loving children, JoAnne (Mike) Rodish, Kathy (Rusty) Bennett, Carol (Michael) Fenzau, Shirley Eckelmann, Cheryl (Marcel) Perets, Denise (Brad) Hendricks, and Greg (Justine) Tellis; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Albert Tellis (2001); brothers, Jim Martin and Joe Martin; and sister, Elaine Carlson.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 6, 2021 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Burial will take place at Laurel Hill Cemetery after the service.

Those planning on an expression of sympathy, please direct your memorials to Dementia Society of America at: dementiasociety.org.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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