Betty Ann (Hawley) Clifton

BETTY ANN (HAWLEY) CLIFTON

Urbandale

Betty Clifton, 90, of Urbandale, passed away at Methodist West Hospital on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Des Moines, surrounded by family. Born Betty Ann Hawley in Mechanicsville, Iowa, she was the tenth of 12 children of George Logan Hawley and Esther Coay Hawley. She was the sole survivor of her birth family.

In the 1930s, the family moved seasonally between northern Wisconsin and Iowa, before settling in Iowa in the early 1940s. In 1948, she married Douglas Lee Clifton of Cedar Rapids, and after he completed his education at the University of Iowa and received his commission they embarked on a life in the U.S. Air Force, producing five children along the way. Over the next 20 years they were stationed in Illinois, Germany (twice), Wisconsin, Washington State and northern Minnesota. During the six years, they were stationed in Germany she was able to indulge her passion for travel and saw much of Europe. When Douglas retired from the military in 1970, they moved to Des Moines. Betty enjoyed bowling and she attended tournaments across the country, winning a number of trophies, usually traveling with five of her sisters.

She is survived by her husband, Douglas, of 72 years; four children, Teri Grimwood of Washington, D.C., Deborah Smith, Brian (Carol Schmidt) Clifton, Anthony (Melissa) Clifton; and one grandson, Michael Smith, all of Des Moines; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her son, Douglas Lee Clifton Jr. He is survived by his stepdaughters, Mia Weber and Brea Heideman-Maxwell who were much loved by Betty.

Due to COVID-19, a memorial service is planned for a later date.