Betty Sandhorst

BETTY L. SANDHORST

Betty Sandhorst, 74, a long-time resident of Cass County, passed away Monday, December 2, 2013, at the Atlantic Nursing & Rehab Center in Atlantic, Iowa.

Betty Lou was the daughter of Ronald Lawrence & Edna Agnes McCurdy Piearson, born March 19, 1939 in Massena, Iowa. She attended Catholic School in Ottumwa, Iowa and graduated from there. She was united in marriage to Harvey Sandhorst, November 12, 1973, in Atlantic, and they always shared a great sense of humor. She lived in Cass County most of her life, with the exception of about eight years in Ontario, California. For many years, Betty ran her own business, Betty's Busy Bee, making bridal gowns, decorating wedding cakes and providing catering services; which she did in California and Iowa while Harvey worked as a diesel mechanic and truck driver.

Betty loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and found delight in spending time with them. She was known to some of the grandchildren as "Grandma Horsey," their childhood rendition of Sandhorst. Her other passion was for garage sales and she also spent many hours enjoying sewing, baking, cooking, decorating wedding cakes, and making special crocheted and knitted items. They had several cats and miniature poodles, including Muffy, who moved to California and back with them. Harvey passed away in 2012 from the Atlantic Nursing and Rehab Center where the couple last resided together.

She is survived by her children, Dale Lynn Ranney of Massena, Chel Latus and Ron Knight of Massena, Terry and wife, Helen Ranney, Sherry Ranney of Massena, Mark and wife, Pam Ranney of Red Oak, and Bradley Ranney of Massena; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Roger and Sharon Sandhorst of Atlantic, Eugene Sandhorst of Atlantic, Wayne and Donnis Kessler of Atlantic, and Gene and Janet Larson of Walnut.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harvey; two sons, Gary and Phillip Ranney; brother, David Piearson; sister, Grace Louise Piearson ( in early childhood); and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Pauline and Ralph Sandhorst.

The funeral service will be held Friday, December 6, 2013 at ten-thirty A.M., at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic, with Pastor Ken Davidson, officiating. The committal service will be in the Wiota Lutheran Church in Wiota, Iowa, following the luncheon at the church.

The family will meet with friends for two hours prior to the service at the Zion Lutheran Church, from eight-thirty to ten-thirty A.M. There will be open visitation at Roland Funeral home, daily from 8 to 5:30.