Betty Marie Shafer

Betty Marie Shafer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 96, passed away after a brief illness on November 2, 2025. A private family service will be held at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A livestream of the service may be accessed on the Cedar Memorial website under the obituary for Betty Shafer, under the video tab starting at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

Betty was born on October 4,1929 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Richard and Ruth Svoboda. She graduated from Franklin High School and attended Iowa State College. Betty was married to Charles "Chuck" Shafer on May 28, 1950, at the First Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and they enjoyed 73 years together raising their three children Scott, Mike, and Debbie. She had fond memories of the times they spent with their many friends playing cards and going to Iowa Hawkeye football games when they were younger. Chuck and Betty lived for 38 years in the Coralville Lake area. In 2015 they moved to the Meth-Wick Community where they met many new friends. Until very recently Betty was able to live independently at Methwick.

Betty enjoyed the many family vacations in Park Rapids, Minnesota and Lake of the Ozarks with her children and later their families. Betty loved her flowers and had many beautiful flower gardens and planters over the years. Betty and Chuck loved animals of all kinds and faithfully fed all the wild birds and squirrels.

Betty was a wonderful and dedicated stay-at-home mom for their three children. She was also a good friend. Betty was a volunteer for many years at the Mercy Hospital Gift and Flower Shop.

Betty is survived by a brother, Rick (Linda) Svoboda of Denton, Texas; two sons: Scott (Pam) Shafer of Cedar Rapids and Michael (Terri) Shafer of Clarkesville, Georgia; and daughter Debra (Doug) Rogers of Charles City, Iowa. Betty is also survived by six grandchildren: David Shafer (Barry Randall), Dr. Tamara (Dr. Alex) Woods; Leslie (Mark) Johnson, Britney (Josh) Baer, Katie (Brad) Jensen, Nick Rogers, and thirteen great grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and husband

Betty was a loving, devoted and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Memorials may be made to the Meth-Wick Community.