BOONE, Iowa—Betty Atherton, 102, of Boone, passed away Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home, in Boone.
A funeral service will be 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home Chapel, 715 West Mamie Eisenhower Avenue, please enter through Door #1. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone.
Betty was born November 11, 1921, in Boone, the daughter of Edgar and Bessie (Lamb) Anderson. She was united in marriage to Robert H. Atherton on August 12, 1945 in Boone.
During Betty’s extensive business career, she started as the operations manager at PT Nelson Lumber Company during WWII. Other executive secretary positions included managing the 6th District Office for Congressman Merwin Coad, highlighted by her attendance at JFK’s Inaugural and meeting Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Hubert H. Humphrey.
Following the three congressional terms, she served as executive secretary to the Iowa State Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors Association, the Iowa Department of Superintendents of Schools and ended her career with the Iowa Department of Social Services. Helping people in need was her favorite job of all.
While helping Bob raise two sons, Betty participated in numerous Boone Community organizations. The Central Christian Church was her passion, while serving as a Sunday School Teacher, Deaconess, six-time President of Christian Women’s Fellowship and its first female elder.
Betty’s participation and leadership in other community organizations included: Boone Business and Professional Women, 4-H, Lowell School and Boone City Council of PTA, Soroptimist Club – Charter Member and President, Boone Women’s Club, Boone Lioness Club – five time President, PEO Chapter JL – President, National Association of Retired Veteran Railway Employees, American Legion Auxiliary – since 1945, Boone Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball Auxiliary, Boone Scenic Railroad – with Bob in the initial organization and operation of Boone’s iconic scenic line. She presented inspirational programs to the residents of the Eastern Star Masonic Home for over 30 years. Betty was a member of the Boone County Historical Society and served as a guide at Mamie Eisenhower’s birthplace.
Recognizing her civic leadership, Betty was awarded: the Melvin Jones Award from the Boone Lioness Club for humanitarian service, Paul Harris Fellow Award from the Boone Rotary Club for her community service and the Brown Memorial Award from AARP for community volunteering.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 62 years, Bob in 2008; and sister, Mary Sellers.
Betty is survived by her two sons, Richard C. (Marcia) Atherton of Durham, NC and Robert J. (Bonnie) Atherton of Denver, CO; four grandchildren, Chad (Ashley) Atherton of Spencer, IA, Julie (Jeff) Bishop of Denver, CO, Adam (Dana) Atherton of Durham, NC and Ryan (A.J.) Atherton of Denver, CO; six great-grandchildren, Caden, Paisley, Theo, Cyrus, Luca and Miles Atherton; sister-in-law, Margaret Harvey of Boone and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Central Christian Church, 803 Greene Street, Boone, IA 50036.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Betty’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Betty Atherton, 102, Boone, Iowa and the Eastern Star Masonic Home, Boone, Iowa
