Betty Jean Moeller, 88, of Bryant, died December 26, 2023 at Bickford Cottage in Clinton. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Preston, Iowa, on Thursday, January 4, 2024 with the Rev. Austin Wilker officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd at St. Joseph’s with a Rosary recited at 3:30 PM. Burial will be in the Miles Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Andrew, Garrett, and David Moeller, Lynn Taylor, Patrick Waters and Brandon Dietzman. The Pape Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Born April 26, 1935, she was the last Scheckel born on family farm south of Springbrook, to Romie and Audrey (Etringer) Scheckel. A year later her parents bought a farm east of Spragueville, where she attended a nearby country school until sixth grade. In seventh grade she rode the school bus to Preston Consolidated School where she graduated with the class of 1952. After graduation, she worked for the Jackson County Treasurer’s office as a deputy clerk until her marriage.
On August 27, 1955, she married Gilbert H. Moeller at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Preston. After her marriage, she worked for the Herb Jargo Insurance Company and the Miles Telephone Company until 1958, when the couple’s first child was born. Betty Jean and her husband, Gilbert, were married for 54 years until his death. During their life together, the couple farmed south of Miles. She also worked for the Alverno Care Facility as nurse’s aide for more than 35 years until retiring in 2009.
Betty enjoyed gardening and she canned many of the family’s vegetables for the winter. She was admired and relished as an excellent cook and baker. At family gatherings, her nieces and nephews always wanted to sneak a peak in her picnic basket to see if she made her famous cream puffs, pies or other delectable delights. She also enjoyed quilting and crocheting in her later years. Her talents as a skilled seamstress saw her making many of her children’s clothes, school operetta costumes, Miles and East Central High School band’s color guard banners as well as celebration banners for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Preston, where she and her husband taught religious education classes and volunteered at countless church events.
She was a member of the Spencer-Cook American Legion Auxiliary, in Miles, while Gilbert was active in the Spencer-Cook American Legion post. She also served as the auxiliary’s treasurer and later as the chapter’s president. She was instrumental in the establishment of the auxiliary’s bake sales, and banquets which helped raise funds for new tables and chairs as well as kitchen equipment for the local legion hall.
Of all of Betty’s achievements and accomplishments in life, she is most proud of her four children and five grandchildren received college degrees.
Betty Jean is survived by her two sons, Warren (Michelle) Moeller of Miles and retired Coast Guard Cmdr. William (Donna) Moeller of Old Saybrook, Conn.; two daughters, Wanda Moeller of Socorro, N.M. and Wileen (Robert) Gehrig of Spring Grove, Ill.; five grandchildren Erin (Brandon) Dietzman of Marion, Andrew Moeller (fiancée, Sidnie Mason) of Washington D.C., Katherine Moeller of New York City, N.Y., Garrett Moeller of Bryant, and David Moeller of Old Saybrook, Conn.; and a great-grandson Wyatt Dietzman; a sister, Mary Ellen (Roger) Hutchison of Sioux Falls, S.D.; a sister-in-law, Betty Scheckel of Maquoketa; and brothers-in law, Joe Taylor of Anamosa and Lester (Alice) Moeller of Preston.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2009; her parents; her brother; two brothers-in-laws; and two sisters-in-laws; and two nephews. Memorials may be made to Spencer-Cook American Legion Post in Miles. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.