Hamilton, Betty J.

Betty J. Hamilton, 74, of Fairfax, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013, at Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, at Blessed John XXIII in Cedar Rapids, by Deacon Dick Manning. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Private family burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fairfax, Iowa, following the luncheon.

Survivors include her children, stepdaughter Kim Dains of Marengo, Suzette (John) Pontius of Lawrenceville, Ga., Scott Hamilton of Stanwood, Mark (Diana) Hamilton of Solon, Brad (Beth) Hamilton of Fairfax, and Tad (Stephanie) Hamilton of Fairfax; 22 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband; stepson, Richard Hamilton; and stepdaughter, Lynn Bennett.

Born July 26, 1939, in Belle Plaine, Iowa, Betty was the daughter of Harold and Martha (Spitznagle) Franka. On March 2, 1962, she was united in marriage to Dean Hamilton in Marion. He died Feb. 21, 2001. Betty worked for Amana Refrigeration for 25 years.

Betty was a member of Blessed John XXIII for many years. She also was a member of the Machinists Local Lodge No. 1526 and the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed playing dominoes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Betty's memory to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy or Blessed John XXIII.

Please sign the online guest book for Betty at under obituaries.

Published Nov. 4, 2013, in The Gazette