Betty Jo Carlsen

Betty Jo Carlsen, 92, of Newton, passed away peacefully Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in her grandson’s home in Marion. A graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Indianola. A luncheon will follow the service at Peterson Funeral Home at 602 E. Salem Ave. in Indianola.

Betty Jo was born Jan. 7, 1927, in Indianola, to Forrest N. and Mary (Weston) Gordon. She graduated from Indianola High School in 1945.

Betty Jo was an amazing woman. She was beautiful, kind and strong.

She loved reading, crossword puzzles, crocheting and sewing small quilts. She was always ready for company and delighted in unexpected visits. She was a wonderful cook and made the best cookies. She always looked forward to watching the latest episode of “Days of Our Lives.”

Betty was the epitome of a classy lady. She always made you feel welcomed and loved. She always looked her best and exercised daily. She never said an unkind word, never complained and was generous in every way.

She loved a good laugh and had a funny wit about her. Even in her 90s, she always knew how to relate to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren through humor and cookies!

She was independent early in life, working as a secretary at Newton Manufacturing, retiring in 1985.

She is survived by her four grandchildren, Elizabeth N. Schultz, Forrest N.G. Moore, Kenneth M. Moore and Perry W. Moore; as well as six great-grandchildren, Mary B. Aiken, Forrest M. Moore, Marissa R. Moore, Hannah G. Moore, Ryan M. Moore and Sierra M. Moore; a son-in-law, Samuel A. Moore; and her dear friend, Gene I. Buckley.

Betty Jo was preceded in death by her son, Robert Michael Crawford in infancy; daughter, Cinderella Jo (Crawford) Moore in 2015; two husbands, Kenneth Robert Crawford in 1952 and Leonard Eugene Carlsen in 2001.

She was the love of our family and will be deeply missed.