Betty Lisk

August 22, 1928 - July 14, 2017

Betty Lisk, 88, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, July 14, 2017, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. She was born August 22, 1928, in Oskaloosa, the daughter of Reford and Bertha Williams Smith. Early on Betty worked at Love’s Creamery and Kresge’s Dime Store in Oskaloosa. Later she went to work for General Mills in Oskaloosa to help her mother provide for the family. On August 20, 1949, Betty was united in marriage to (Henry) Edward Lisk at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Ed died May 18, 2016. Following their marriage Betty stayed home to care for her family and home, and help Ed on the farm. Once her children were in school she returned to work part-time, at Kresge’s. Betty truly loved being on the farm. She looked forward to helping Ed with every aspect of the farm. She enjoyed gardening, both flowers and vegetables, canning, baking, needlework, and trips to the casino. She was also very active in the Democratic Party for many years. Betty had a love for animals she enjoyed having dogs and cats around the farm. She had a soft spot in her heart for any stray that would come around the house too, she would always make sure they were fed and had plenty of water as long as they were at her place. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She delighted in spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. Her family includes her four children, Marcia (George) Edgington of Dixon, Missouri, Elizabeth “Liz” (Gary) Moore of Montezuma, Vicky Schreiner of Oskaloosa, and Gary (& companion, Karla Bridgewater) Lisk of Oskaloosa; nine grandchildren, Jeff, Jennifer, Jon, Jolene, Meagan, Lindsay, Amanda, Matthew, and Brooke; 29 great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; two sisters in law, Caroline Smith and Nadine Moore both of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Ed, Betty was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, Janie Cooksey, Laura Phillips, Shirley Moody, and Virginia Grubb Leatherman; four brothers, John W. Smith, Alford Smith, Charlie Smith, and Bobby Smith. A memorial service will be held Monday, July 31, 2017 at 11:30 am in The Bates Funeral Chapel with Reverend Mike Dotson officiating.. As was Betty’s wish her body has been cremated. Burial of the urn will be a brief service for the family in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday prior to the service at 10:30 am in the Chapel with family present. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House or American Diabetes Association.