Born Betty Zoe Kipper, in Humeston, Iowa, the fourth in line to Howard and Marie Kipper on September 25, 1933. The family moved to Des Moines in 1943. She attended Roosevelt High School. She told stories of her high school days: a near drowning of her swimming teacher, smoke bombs set off in the lunchroom and numerous ditch days to play pitch. She owned horses; worked at the family restaurant and was a roller-skating car hop.
In the 60’s she and her mother took their hobby and turned it into a business, Mar-Ric-Ceramics. After moving to California in 1972, she drove an 18-wheeler, managed a high-end ceramics studio, and bartended at a Country and Western Nightclub.
When she moved back to Iowa in the 80’s, she worked at Younkers warehouse, filled numerous positions at Walmart, and ended up behind the bar at the VFW and later managing the Club. When the VFW had an electrical fire, she was instrumental in getting the place up and running again.
She was a workhorse with a wicked sense of humor. As selfless as they come. She fit a lot in a short life. She was a football fan, loved her Hawkeyes. An animal lover and an AVID Teddy bear collector.
Preceding her in death was her son; Danny, brother; Rex, her parents, and her longtime companion; David, and her puppies Fifi and Katie.
Left to miss her is her daughter; Dianne, her son; Jay, his wife; Desiree, her grandchildren; Jason and Renee, her sisters; Janiece and Marge, an amazing number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and her friends at the VFW. She was not even at Edencrest a year but made some close friends there as well.
Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., Cottage Grove Church, 1050 24th St, Des Moines, IA 50311. Reception to follow from 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the VFW Hall 4029 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310.
Betty had requested in lieu of flowers; a donation be made to the VFW #9127 Auxiliary.