Beatrice Lantis

Betty E. Lantis, 91, died at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa on April 24, 2004. Betty was born in Laurens, Iowa on August 28, 1912 to Omer P. and Emma Wells Perry, the second of two daughters. The family moved to Denison, Iowa where she graduated from high school in 1930. Betty was vivacious, attractive, intelligent and popular and was named May Queen in her senior year. She attended one year at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa where she met her life time partner, Jim (Doc) Lantis. They were married on May 31, 1933 in Papillion, Nebraska and celebrated their 70th anniversary last May.
After Doc finished his dental training, they came to Atlantic. Betty served as the dental assistant and office manager during those early years. She was baptized at the Christian Church in Laurens, but the couple joined the First United Methodist Church where Betty was active for many years in church circle. She also belonged to PEO and many bridge clubs throughout her years. With Doc, she also was a great Hawkeye fan, attending all the home football games well into her 80s, always dressed in black and gold. She and Doc loved to dance to big band music and were often seen, even in recent years, at the dances in Minden. Betty also like to fish and caught many, which she always handled wearing white gloves! Her hobbies included growing house plants and her home was like a greenhouse all year round.
Betty had one son, Larry, who was her joy. The family took many driving vacations when Larry was a boy, covering all the 48 states. Doc and Betty also traveled overseas but she loved the USA and her favorite place was Florida. It was there that she collected sea shells washed up by the waves and brought them home to display in beautiful glass containers. Betty was loved and admired by all who knew her. She will be missed with fond remembrances.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Omer and Emma Perry and her sister Pauline Bruett. She is survived by her husband, Dr. James Lantis;; son Larry Lantis and wife Sharon; four nephews, John Lantis, Jim Lantis, Roger Bruett and James Bruett.
Memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church for their new sound system fund or to Heritage House.