Betty Lou Russell

March 31, 1929 - January 19, 2017

Betty Lou Russell, 87, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, January 19, 2017, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She was born Sunday, March 31, 1929, in Rose Hill, the daughter of Harold Joe and Lucille Wymore Denney. While she was in school, Betty’s family lived in California. Betty moved to Oskaloosa in 1945. In 1946, Betty was united in marriage to Harold Thomas McKeag. To this union three sons were born, Terry, Larry, and Gary. In 1949, Harold died in an automobile accident. On November 24, 1956, Betty was united in marriage to Thomas Russell in Oskaloosa, Tom died May 21, 2010. Betty stayed home to care for her home and her family while her children were young. After they started school, she began cleaning homes in the Oskaloosa area and retired in 1989. Betty enjoyed sewing, making dolls, crocheting and most of all being with her family. She enjoyed music, dancing and going to dinner with her “Birthday Club” friends. She loved caring for her home and would spend hours in her yard working with her plants and flowers. Betty is survived by her two sons: Patrick (& Laura) Russell and Gary (& Dyanne) McKeag both of Oskaloosa; 8 grandchildren: Adam and Alison Russell, Bradley, John, Danielle, April and Dawn McKeag and Teri Lee Barnfather; three great grandchildren: Gavin, Feona and Ben; three great great grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law: Virginia Denney and Gina Russell both of Oskaloosa. She was preceded in death by two husbands; her parents; two sons: Terry and Larry McKeag; and a brother: Gerald Denney. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 23, 2017, at 2:30 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Visitation will be Monday, January 23, 2017, in Bates Funeral Chapel from 1:30 P.M. until service time at 2:30 P.M. Memorials may be made to the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.