BOONE, Iowa—Elizabeth Sayles Boesen “Bitty”, 67, of Boone, passed away Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the Hearth Stone Memory Care Unit at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone. Per her wishes, cremation has taken place.
Elizabeth was born on April 7, 1958, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the oldest of five children of John and Gayle (Leonard) Sayles.
Growing up in Muscatine, Elizabeth spent most summer afternoons at the Weed Park pool and worked as a lifeguard. She participated in swimming and track in high school and graduated from Muscatine High School in 1976. Attending the University of Northern Iowa, Bitty swam on the Panther Women’s Swim Team, all 4 years, graduating with majors in both English and Physical Education.
Elizabeth moved to Boone in the fall of 1980 and started teaching English at Boone High School. In the mid 80’s, “Miss Sayles” began teaching elementary Physical Education at Lowell, Bryant and Franklin Schools. PE was her favorite, for over 30 years. Elizabeth became Head Coach of Boys Varsity Swimming in the mid 1980’s and helped build a strong, successful swim program, that continues today. Elizabeth spent more than 30 summers teaching Red Cross swimming lessons to young girls and boys. Her knowledge and patience benefitted thousands of young Boone swimmers to excel and be safe in the water. She coached Middle School swimming, YMCA Swim Team, and was the 1st coach of the newly founded Boone Summer Swim Team, the Barracudas, in the 1990’s. Elizabeth was a longtime member of the local PEO Sisterhood Chapter DD.
Elizabeth married the luckiest guy in Boone, Nick Boesen on Friday, August 14, 1992, at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Boone. From this union, two sons were born, Bryan and Ben. Nick and Bitty loved teaching their sons to swim, run, shoot, swing, throw, catch, kick and be team players.
She retired in 2017, after a 37-year teaching career. She was passionate about teaching and swimming. Elizabeth lost her 8-year battle with dementia last week. Memorials may be sent to Boone Swim Team, 606 Edgewood Drive, Boone or Boone High Booster Club, PO Box 53, Boone, or to the family for Muscatine Athletics and scholarship establishment.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Scott Sayles; and father-in-law, John Boesen.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband of 32 years, Nick Boesen of Boone; parents, John and Gayle Sayles of Muscatine; mother-in-law, Janet Boesen of Boone; sons, Bryan (Laura) Boesen of Sioux Falls, SD and Ben Boesen of Milwaukee, WI; two sisters, Stephanie (Joel) and Cynthia (Kevin); brother, John (Glenna); two brothers-in-law, John (Deb) and Joe (Sheila); five sisters-in-law, Anne (Dave), Mary (Mike), Jane (David), Margaret (Charles), and Theresa (Bill); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Church of the Sacred Heart, 915 12th Street, Boone, IA 50036, with a Rosary at 4:00 PM and a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. The Mass will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the church, with Rev. Timothy Johnson officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Boone.
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 Elizabeth’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com
Elizabeth Boesen, 67, Boone, Iowa
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