Elizabeth A.Sherman

Elizabeth (Betty) Ann (Noll) Sherman, 91, passed peacefully on Jan. 27, 2023 at home surrounded by family.  She was born Jan. 3, 1932, at the Story Hospital in Mason City, to Earl and Loretta (Boyd) Noll. 

There is no funeral planned at this time. A spring memorial will be announced at a later date.

Betty graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1950 and later that year married the love of her life, Gene Sherman, of Mason City. To this union four children were born, Bill, Bob, Tom and John. 

In 1951, Gene and Betty moved to Brookings, S.D. where Gene worked for his father’s roofing company. It was during this period that Gene was introduced to golf and he shared that new found passion with Betty and their boys from that point onward. The family returned to Clear Lake in 1961 and together they operated Sherman Roofing and Construction. In the summer of 1967 they managed All Vets Golf Course in Clear Lake.  In 1968, the family once again moved back to Brookings where Gene resumed working for his father.  The couple also owned and operated a driving range. In 1971, the family moved back to Clear Lake for the final time and resumed operation of Sherman Roofing. 

In 1972, Gene and Betty purchased a farm where they built Oak Hills Golf Course. In 1984 they sold this golf course to their son, Tom, and his wife, Sheila (Jacobson) Sherman, who successfully own and operate it today. 

In 1977, Gene and Betty purchased the Clear Lake Theatre. They operated it along with their children for 40 years. It was then sold in 2016.

In 1985, Gene and Betty built Arrowhead Golf Course which was again run as a family business along with the help of their sons.

Betty also was employed at Clear Lake telephone company as a telephone switch operator.  She played several roles at Mercy Hospital, including unit clerk for 20 years.  She also had several other jobs at local Clear Lake businesses.

Betty most enjoyed spending time with family at her aunt and uncle’s movie ranch, “The Iverson Movie Ranch,” in Chatsworth, Calif. She spent several years visiting and doing bookkeeping along with helping to operate the ranch. Several famous TV shows and countless movies were filmed there, such as “Gunsmoke,” “Bonanza,” “The Virginian,” “Rawhide,” and many, many others. Betty enjoyed meeting the actors and actresses that played roles in these films, such as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and even Elvis Presley.

  Betty was active in her sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, for 61 years and served as president for several years. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Clear Lake, where she ushered for many years. Betty had many friends over the years that she played in Bridge Club with. She was honored by her community as the Grand Marshall of the annual Clear Lake 4th of July Parade in 2017. She was also, at one time, crowned Queen of Clear Lake.

  Betty is survived by her sons, Bill (Diane Cunningham), of Eugene, Ore., Bob, Clear Lake, Tom (Sheila Jacobson), and John (Jill Monson), Clear Lake; grandsons, Tony (Jordon Wessels), and Tyler Sherman, Mason City; granddaughter, Alanna, Clear Lake; great-granddaughter, Charlotte, of Albert Lea, Minn.; younger sister, retired United States Air Force Colonel Nancy (Noll) Elliott, Clear Lake; nephew, Barry Elliott, of New Milford, Conn; two daughter-in-laws, Debbie Lee Sherman Neuberger, Clear Lake, and Asako Sherman, of Japan; along with many nieces, nephews and many, many friends. 

Betty is proceeded in death by her parents, Earl and Loretta (Boyd) Noll; husband, Gene Sherman; his mother, Gladys Sherman; sister-in-law, Joanne (Sherman) Jewel; brother-in-laws, Duane Jewell and United States Air Force Colonel Donald Elliott; niece, Chick Elliott; and grandson, Jason Sherman. 

Betty loved her family, her friends, and her community with endless enthusiasm and an open heart.  She is gone now but will not soon be forgotten by those who knew and loved her.