Betty Joan McDowell

Betty Joan McDowell, 88, of Eldora, left this world to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. A memorial service to remember and celebrate Betty’s life will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at the First Baptist Church in Eldora, Iowa. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church in Eldora. Messages of condolences may be left at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Betty Joan McDowell (Lamoreaux) was born on Sept. 27, 1932, in Eastland, Texas. She would go on to attend Marshalltown High School, graduating with the class of 1950. Betty would attend William Penn University where she majored in education and graduated with the class of 1954. It was during her schooling that she met the love of her life, Raymond Arthur McDowell and the two would go on to be married at the William Penn Chapel. It wasn’t long after they were married that Raymond entered the service and was stationed in Arizona. Tombstone, Ariz., would be the first location that Betty taught at, and her passion and love for teaching would only grow through the years. Betty and Raymond would make their way back to Iowa where Raymond would farm the family farm and Betty continued her teaching career, which totaled 61 years.

The love that Betty and Raymond shared was something truly special as they both shared their love with each other, and their Lord and Savior. They were both active members at First Baptist Church in Eldora and Betty taught “Joy Church.” When Betty wasn’t busy with her many pursuits, you could find her enjoying her flowers and rock garden. She had a love and fascination with turtles and collected anything to do with them. Her greatest joy in life though, was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

Left to remember and share Betty’s life are her children: Mark McDowell of Eldora, and Margaret Annette of Littleton, Colo.; 6 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister Helen Billings of Chicago. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Raymond, and daughter-in-law Dyanne.