Betty J. Bottjen, age 91, of Correctionville, passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at the Correctionville Specialty Care of Correctionville.  A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Grace Lutheran Church of Correctionville with the Rev. John W. Riebhoff officiating.  Burial will be at the St. Paul Cemetery (Midway) of rural Battle Creek.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the Grace Lutheran Church of Correctionville. 

Betty Jean Bottjen was born on February 11, 1926, in rural Correctionville, Iowa, to Claude and Dorothy (Wright) McCleerey.  Betty was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on Feb. 1, 1948, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Midway.  She received her elementary education in the Woodbury county schools and graduated from Correctionville high school, earning a Normal Training Teacher’s Certificate.  On June 26, 1943, Edward Bottjen and Betty Jean McCleerey were united in marriage at the Christian Church parsonage in Sioux City, with the Rev. C. R. Dayton officiating.  After WWII, they farmed for 10 years east of Midway, Battle Creek, and in 1956 moved to Correctionville, where they owned and operated Ed’s Plumbing and Heating until retirement in 1985.  Betty also worked at the Creamery, National Tea Co., and the IGA Grocery Store.  They were blessed with 67 years of marriage, and five children.

Betty was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Midway, and Grace Lutheran Church, Correctionville, where she held various offices and was an active member of the Ladies Aid Society.  She enjoyed music and dancing, traveling, crocheting, and was an avid reader.  Betty’s passion was cooking for her family and she enjoyed babysitting for her grandchildren. 

Survivors include five children and their spouses.  Bill and Karen (Bottjen) Smith of Sioux City, IA;  Vern and Shirlene (Bottjen) Wright of Cincinnati, OH; Bobby and Sandra Bottjen, Correctionville, IA; Michael and Barbara (Bottjen) Bundy of Scottsdale, AZ; and Scott and Kathryn (Bottjen) Hunwardsen, Correctionville, IA; nine grandchildren, Randy Brown, Ronda Hanson, David Brown, Jennifer Schneeman, Michael Wright, Chad Bottjen, Taylor Bundy, Brittany and Ashley Hunwardsen; 13 great-grandchildren, Andrew, Jessica, Nathaniel, Jacob, Zachariah, Levi and Isaac Brown; Austin and Adam Hansen; Cody, Aiden, Jacob and Kaitlyn Bottjen; one sister, Claudia (Eugene) Schulke, Storm Lake, IA; sisters-in-law Myrtle Hansen, Grandview, IA, Mary Bottjen, Sioux City, IA, and Ardith Heyer, Cushing, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Edward; brother, Wilbur (Eileen) McCleerey; sisters, Frances (Wendell) Green and Wilma (Wayne) Bowers. 

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