Oglesby, Betty Jean

Betty Jean Oglesby

Betty Jean Oglesby was peacefully ushered into the Lord's presence on Aug. 22, 2013, at Mercy Iowa City, with family by her side.

She was a loving mother of five children and 13 grandchildren.

She was born Dec. 19, 1933, in Sandusky, Ohio, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Frances Butts. She graduated from Miami University in 1955, with a bachelor's degree in education. The photo above is from her college years when an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Betty's love for others, especially children, was present in everything she did. Before having children of her own, she was an elementary schoolteacher in California. For the next 25 years, she devoted her time to raising her children. In 1971, she returned to her love as an educator as a second grade teacher at Ernest Horn Elementary School in Iowa City, where she taught for 20 years.

In 2001, Betty founded Sewing For Others, a group that lovingly sews clothing for needy children around the world, as well as, assembling quilt packets for the women in these countries. They also made wheelchair and walker bags to support Joni Eareckson-Tada's Wheels For the World. Betty visited Haiti on occasion to see and love on the children and to work with the women in assembling quilts. Betty also was a volunteer for several local organizations, including PEO, Senior Center Meal Delivery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Hancher Guild and Iowa City Hospice for whom she served on the board of directors, as well as, visited patients.

Betty loved to travel and was blessed with opportunities to see and experience many parts of this wonderful world that God has made. She was an active bicyclist and biked across 25 states, including Iowa, Colorado, North Carolina, Wisconsin, New York and Maine.

She was an active member of Parkview Church and previously served as an elder and deacon of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. She had an incredible love for the Lord and was faithful to Him throughout her entire life. She loved spending time in Bible studies and other small groups. She was active in the Stephens Ministry for many years and a prayer warrior for the St. Andrew prayer ministry.

Betty is survived by her two brothers, William (Lois) of Florida and Robert (Carol) of Avon, Ohio; and her five children, Bradley (Shelley) Oglesby of North Liberty, Timothy (Kimberly) of Elgin, Ill., Steve (Judy) Oglesby of Goshen, Ky., Sarah Propp (Dan) of Missoula, Mont., and David (Ann) Oglesby of Iowa City; as well as her grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her grandsons, Andrew David Oglesby and David Propp.

All of the family extends heartfelt thanks to the multitude of Betty's friends for your friendship and love. Thank you for honoring her wish for privacy during her attempt to recover, and for your support of her family during this time. She felt your prayers and love and was reminded frequently of your devotion to her in this way. It was her desire that you all know how much she loved you and hold a special place in her heart.

A “gathering of Betty's friends” will be held at Parkview Church in Iowa City on Monday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Betty's name may be made to Iowa City Hospice, 1025 Wade St., Iowa City, IA 52240 or on its website at www.iowacityhospice.org.

Published Aug. 24, 2013 in The Gazette