Elizabeth Ann 'Betty' Shay

ELIZABETH ANN "BETTY" SHAY

Iowa City

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Shay, 92, a longtime resident of Iowa City, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Crestview Specialty Care in West Branch, Iowa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, with Father Gary Beckman officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Joseph's Cemetery or Crestview Specialty Care.

Betty was born Feb. 21, 1925, in Iowa City, the daughter of Wilfred and Mary Cilek Cole. She received her bachelor's degree in business from the University of Iowa. On Dec. 27, 1947, Betty married John Robert "Jack" Shay.

After the death of her husband in 1964, Betty moved her son and daughter from Des Moines to Iowa City to be surrounded by her loving family. Betty embarked on her career with the Iowa City Community School District as a secretary and office manager. She spent the majority of her 25 years almost equally divided between West High and City High. During that time, there was never a person she would not help. Betty retired in 1989.

She was a longtime member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Altrusa, University Club and a volunteer with RSVP.

Betty's family was the most important thing in her life. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren could light up her smile.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Crestview Specialty Care for the exceptional care provided to Betty.

Betty is survived by her two children, Steve (Jo Anne) Shay of Olathe, Kan., and Sue (Nick) Kempf of North Liberty; five grandchildren, Wayne (Kari) Kempf and their children, Colin and Kaia, Kathie (Joe) Grider and their children, Cole, Mitchell and Nathan, Karen (Mike) Hanes and their children, Dean, John and Shay, Sara (Cory) Tarvin and their children, Jack and Myles, and Katie (Kaleb) Hale and their children, Emma, Brody and Mallory; brother-in-law, Clarence Haverkamp; niece, Anne (Jim) Croker; and nephew, John (Kay) Brejcha.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1964; one grandson, Richard Kempf; and her sister, Dorothy Haverkamp.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com.