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Betty Emanuel
BETTY EMANUEL
Norway
Betty Ann Emanuel, 87, of Norway, passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017, at Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha following a long illness.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Norway with Father Craig Steimel officiating. Burial will take place at St. Michael's Cemetery, Norway. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 5, at St. Michael's Parish Center.
Betty was born to Verle Starnes and Velma Kacer (Starnes) on Nov. 27, 1929, in Thornton, Iowa. She attended Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Young's School of Beauty. She operated Betty's Beauty Shop out of her home for many years and later became an instructor at Young's. In 1947, she married Dick Emanuel and lived in Norway her entire married life where they raised their seven children.
Dancing was a passion for Betty and Dick, and the sounds of big band music filled the house Sunday mornings following Mass. Betty was an avid baseball fan, loved the Cardinals and watched them regularly on TV. She and Dick always could be found in the stands cheering on their kids at sporting events. She spent most of her summers running the concession stand for the Norway Town Team. In 1988, she received an Appreciation Award for Service to Amateur Baseball. Betty enjoyed bowling and was a member of a bowling league in Newhall for over 25 years. She always was ready for a family gathering and a six-handed euchre game. Betty and Dick spent their retirement years traveling across the country.
To all of her grandchildren she was lovingly known as "Ma" and was proud to have been a five-generation family. She was a phenomenal cook and will be remembered fondly for her homemade yeast buns.
She is survived by her daughters, Penny Rowland, Annie (Jim) Volz, Linda Hollingsworth and Bobbie (Harlan) Van Vark; son-in-law, Alan Dusil; brother, Duane (Neoma) Starnes; stepsister, Deb Sindelar; as well as 17 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; numerous stepgrandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and stepfather, Charles Kacer; Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; sons, Rick and Nick; and daughter, Chris (Dusil).
Memorials may be made to the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy or Norway Baseball Association.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are with Brosh Funeral Service of Norway.
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