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Streff, Elizabeth A. 'Betty'
Elizabeth A. “Betty” Streff, 82, of Maquoketa, died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, at her home, following a 10-month battle with cancer. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Maquoketa, with the Rev. James Chappell and Deacon Bob Head officiating. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Lahey Funeral Home in Maquoketa, where a vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Elizabeth Ann Bohling was born Sept. 5, 1927, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Edward F. and Verda (Anderson) Bohling. She married Richard N. Streff on May 25, 1948, in Maquoketa. He preceded her in death on May 25, 2004. In her early years, she lived in Oskaloosa and Davenport, moving to Maquoketa in 1942 with her family. She graduated from Maquoketa High School and attended Iowa State University.
She worked at Ben Franklin Store, Carson Pharmacy's “Raspberry” Bar, Fishing Tackle Co., and Andresen's Implement. In the late 1940s, she was a newspaper correspondent for the Davenport Daily Times and was its Maquoketa office manager. She was the first female news editor of the Maquoketa Community Press. Shortly after her marriage she retired to become a homemaker.
She was an active member in the Maquoketa Briggs Elementary PTA, a past Worthy Matron of Catholic Daughters of America Court St. Raphael No. 1156 of Maquoketa and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Maquoketa. She enjoyed her family, gardening, handiwork, flower arranging, cooking and reading.
She is survived by five children: two sons, Stephen (Deborah) Streff of Fairfax and
Mark Streff of Maquoketa; three daughters, Pamela (Gregory) Clements of Fremont, Neb., Lora Reafsnider of Clinton and Amy Streff of Maquoketa; a son-in-law, David Lorenzen of Denver, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Peg Phillips of Seattle, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; an infant brother; and a daughter, Deborah Lorenzen.
Memorials are preferred.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at
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