Betty Jane Theilen

Betty Jane Theilen 85, passed away Monday, November 18, 2024, at the Nora Springs Care Center in Nora Springs, surrounded by her loving family. 

A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 22, at the Fertile Lutheran Church in Fertile; with Pastor Mary Findlay officiating. A viewing was held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Fertile Lutheran Church, in Betty’s memory.

Betty was born into the loving family of Clyde and Helen (Rahfeldt) Miller in Ames on October 7, 1939. She was the third child in the family of four brothers and three sisters, growing up on the farm and working hard. Betty graduated from Dows High School in 1957 and went on to La’James College of Beauty for Cosmetology where she graduated and also taught as an instructor. She worked many years at Cerro Gordo Beauty Shop and later opened her own salon in her home, Betty’s Beauty Shop, in Mason City. 

Betty married Orville “Dean” Theilen, the love of her life, on May 27, 1967 in Minnesota and they were together for 56 years. Betty and Dean spent their lives traveling across the U.S. with their children and family; camping, fishing and sightseeing. They built homes in Mason City, Fertile, Hot Springs, Ark., and helped their kids build their own homes too.

Betty was known for her “gift of gab”, her warm hospitality and exceptional baking (food is love) - zucchini bread, chocolate chip cookies, apple bread and her famous pickles that were beloved by all. She shared all of this as a member of the Fertile Lutheran Church, Fertile Lutheran Sunshine Club, Ladies Aide, her Quilting Club and Fertile Garden Club. She enjoyed various projects with her church family. She made it her mission to know church and community members that were shut-ins or alone, providing her baked goods for them to enjoy.

Betty’s true legacy and pride in life are her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren which she spent many years caring for and raising up, teaching them their heritage and love of family traditions while hosting many birthdays and Holiday gatherings with Love. She was often heard singing to them “You are My Sunshine.”

Betty is survived by her daughter, Sue Neve, of Fertile; son, Paul (Barb) Theilen of Temple, Tex.; grandchildren, Brandon (Kaitlin) Theilen, McKenzie Neve, Trevor (Iris) Neve, Mariah Theilen (Chase), Ryan (Melissa) Rague; great-grandchildren, Lina, Kyler, Bennett, Korbyn, along with baby boy Neve and baby girl Jacobson on the way; siblings Jim (Judy) Miller, Barbara Theilen, Paula Demro, Clyde Jr. (Theresa) Miller; sisters-in-law, Marty Miller, Janie Miller, Millie Schroeder and Clara Howard; along with several special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

Betty is preceded in death by her loving husband, Orville “Dean” Theilen; parents, Clyde and Helen Miller; son, Rick Rague; brothers, Bob Miller and Gerald Miller; mother and father-in-law, Albert and Annie Theilen; brothers and sisters-in-law, Rex Theilen, Ruth (Sherman) Ward, Albert Jr. (Dolly) Theilen, Richard Howard, LaDonna Miller, and Lawrence Schroeder.

Ward Van Slyke is in charge of arrangements.