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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Betty Forrest
Betty Forrest
Cedar Rapids
Betty Forrest, 87, of Cedar Rapids passed away peacefully on April 27, 2024 in her home of nearly 63 years.
Betty was born November 10, 1936 in Pocahontas, IA, the youngest child of Louis and Mary Smutna Obadal. A graduate from St. Luke’s School of Nursing, Betty married James “Jim” Forrest in 1961 and started her adventure in the country west of Cedar Rapids. A fabulous cook and lover of the outdoors, Betty spent many hours in her garden yielding jars of canned goods. She delighted in burning debris piles and endless summer mowing. Spring found her hunting mushrooms in the timber and tending flowers and plants in her green house. Betty made several groovy outfits for the Friday night dances and card parties she enjoyed with her dashing, tall husband and good friends. Raising three kids filled the early years, making sure they were delivered to all their activities in her beloved brown paneled station wagon. Betty especially enjoyed the years attending her children’s basketball games. Later on she became an avid Hawkeye basketball and LeBron James fan. Betty was tickled by a trip bluegill fishing or occasionally visiting a slot machine.
Her greatest joy was when family arrived. She prepared many holiday feasts, countless family meals, and a good number of chocolate cakes for birthday celebrations. She provided memorable giggling moments over games at the kitchen table and led the way on egg hunts and golf cart rides. She adored her grandchildren and they loved the special attention and time spent with her at the farm. A day with Grandma was a special treat. A bonus round of great-grandchildren only added to her joy.
Most of her nursing career was working with new moms and babies. Her gentle spirit and kind heart carried over in her nursing work.
Betty is survived by her husband Jim; children John Forrest (Abby Bruce), Lynne Stein, and Lori (Jon) Gray; grandchildren Eady Forrest, Samantha Forrest, Laurel (Nick) Marsh, Alec (Kaitlin) Stein, Dane Stein, Abigail Gray, and Sam Gray; great-grandchildren, Kieran and Isla Marsh, Peter Stein, and Henry Stein; and her brother Richard Obadal.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings Ernie (Barb) Obadal, Stanley (Stella) Obadal, and Martha (Bob) Brown.
Betty requested no services upon her passing. A family celebration of life will take place later this summer.
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