Betty Moore

February 17, 1930 - April 21, 2022

Betty Moore, formerly from Oskaloosa, died October 2, 2021, at MorningStar Assisted Living in Glendale, AZ, with her son Steve by her side. Betty was born on February 17, 1930, in Ottumwa, IA to Warren and Christine (Messerschmitt) Hild. She grew up on a farm in southeast Iowa and learned hard work at a very young age. Her early morning chores, before school each day, included cleaning the milk cans after her brother milked the cows. She had a deep love for horses, riding her horse Birdie to and from school each day, and helping her dad raise and show Quarter Horses. She was an all-state forward basketball player in high school and even received scholarship offers to play in college. However, she elected to become a teacher and graduated from the Iowa State Teacher's College (now the University of Northern Iowa) in 1950. On March 10, 1951, she married Robert (Bob) L. Moore at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They both started their teaching careers in Colo, Iowa. Back then, being married teachers in the same school meant taking pay cuts. So, to save a few bucks, they kept their marriage a secret and lived in separate apartments 5 miles away from each other (Bob walked those 5 miles down railroad tracks, back and forth each night/morning, to be with her, even during those cold Iowa winters). They settled in Oskaloosa in 1962 and made it their home until 1997. They then moved to Arizona to be near their son Steve and his family. While in Osky, Betty taught remedial reading to elementary school children for over 30 years. Given the many grade schools at the time, they converted an old yellow school bus to a mobile library/classroom so she could rotate teaching at each school. She was also very involved in P.E.O., and Presbyterian and First Congressional Church activities. Betty's love of cooking/baking, golf, and refinishing furniture kept her busy year-round. Her grandchildren still fondly remember her bringing her legendary home-made noodles over each Sunday for lunch. As an avid golfer, she was the ladies club champion several times at Elmhurst Country Club. Unfortunately, a second stroke in 2013 severely limited her activities but never diminished her positive and "tell it like it is" attitude. She spent her final 5+ years in assisted living and was loved dearly by the residents and caregivers....they so enjoyed singing with her each day. She will be affectionately remembered for her incredible toughness, resilience, strong work ethic, humor, and stylish and abundant supply of clothes/shoes/bling. But, most of all, she will be remembered for her fierce, unconditional, and unwavering love of family. We miss her terribly but are comforted knowing she is reunited forever with her beloved daughter and husband. Betty was preceded in death by her daughter Cheryl Christine "Chris" Moore, sister Mary (Hild) Lytle, parents Warren and Christine Hild, brother Bob Hild, and husband Bob Moore. She is survived by her son Steve Moore of Sun City, AZ, granddaughter's Jaclyn (Jefferson) Clark of Queen Creek, AZ and Hayley (Shaun) Belk of Sun City, AZ, grandson's Ryan Moore of Glendale, AZ and Garrett Moore of Flagstaff, AZ, and 3 great-grandchildren, Emery, Quincey, and Coulter Clark. A private family viewing was held in Sun City in October. A public gravesite service will be held at Forest Cemetery (by the wishing well) in Oskaloosa at 11:00 am on Friday April 29, 2022, with Pastor Melissa Sternhagen officiating. Bates Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.