Betty Nemmers

Betty Jane Nemmers passed away peacefully on April 18, 2011, at Ramsey Village Care Center in Des Moines.

Betty was born December 3, 1925, in Eddyville, IA, the only child of Signa (Olson) and George Gradus Van Klaveren. She grew up in Eddyville and then went to Ottumwa, IA, where she obtained her diploma of nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Known to her classmates as nurse “Van”, Betty was a dedicated and compassionate nurse for over 35 years, spending most of her career at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines as a night shift supervisor.

While Betty was in nurses’ training in Ottumwa, she met Robert Nemmers, a naval flight instructor at the Ottumwa Naval Air Station. They were set up on a blind date but Betty stood him up. Undaunted, Bob pursued Betty and they eventually met. They fell in love and were married at All Saints Church in Des Moines on June 8, 1946. They were inseparable until Bob’s death on April 20, 2007.

Betty’s greatest joy in life was her family. She also loved crafting, cooking and especially baking. Her Iowa State Fair blue ribbon cookies are legendary!

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her step-dad, Frank Reed, and her beloved husband, Bob. She is survived by her son, Mike (Jo Ann) Nemmers and daughter Pam (Scott) Tursi; grandchildren, Kim (Bill) Callahan, Shawn (Kary) Nemmers, Tanya (Aaron) Bodenstedt, Nick and Matt Tursi; great grandchildren, Haley and Isaac Nemmers and Devin and Dakota Callahan.

Betty’s family will greet visitors at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, on Sunday, April 24, 2011, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass is scheduled for Monday, April 25, 2011, at 10 a.m., at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Ramsey Village or St. Anthony’s Church Foundation.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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