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Bettie June (Keller) Riggs, 72, passed away with family by her side on May 11, 2022 at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial service will take place at 10:30 am on July 2nd at the Norwalk United Methodist Church, 1100 Gordon Ave, Norwalk, Iowa 50211. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Echo Valley Country Club, 3150 Echo Valley Dr, Norwalk, IA 50211 from noon to 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed towards the Norwalk United Methodist Church or the American Kidney Fund. For those unable to attend the service but would still like to watch, it will be live streamed at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/The.Walk.Norwalk.UMC
Bettie was born June 11, 1949, in Newton, IA to Clyde and Reva Berniece (Hicks) Keller. With her five siblings, she grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1967. She attended Des Moines Area Community College in West Des Moines for Secretarial/Clerical.
Bettie worked in downtown Des Moines for Look Magazine, Des Moines Stationery Company, and Ohio Casualty Insurance Company.
Bettie met her future husband Thomas Riggs by chance in September of 1971 and they were engaged by December of that year. They were married September 2, 1972 at Four Square Church in Newton. Bettie and Tom welcomed two sons, Ryan and Michael. The family moved to Norwalk in 1975.
Bettie worked as a secretary/office manager for the Village of Lakewood and a legal secretary for many years. She retired from Equifax in 2014.
Bettie was a member of Norwalk United Methodist Church for over 40 years, where she taught Sunday School for many years. She was also part of the United Methodist Women’s group. She served on the board of directors for Bidwell Riverside. Bettie also was a Cub Scout den leader while her boys were growing up. She was a member of the Lakewood Sailing Club. She enjoyed arts, crafts and traveling, especially her recent memorable trip to Alaska with her husband and brother and sister-in-law. Bettie treasured time spent with her family; she had five wonderful grandchildren that she cherished.
Bettie is survived by her husband of 49.5 years, Tom Riggs; children: Ryan (Cathy) Riggs of Norwalk and Michael (Nicole) Riggs of West Des Moines; grandchildren: Carter, Emily, Tamsyn, Sam, and Zoë; two brothers, Keith and Joe (Jan) Keller and sister-in-law, Sade Keller; and nephews: Mark, Cory, and Brandon Keller, and Paul Strecker; and nieces Elaine Strecker and Susan Taylor. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Kevin and Harold Keller and sister, Barbara Keller.