Betty Lou Thompson

Betty Lou (Wetzel) Thompson, 86, daughter of Ralph Merle Wetzel & Sarah (Guss) Wetzel, was born July 24, 1938 in Manilla in Shelby County, Iowa. She passed away Monday, December 9, 2024 at Thomas Rest Haven, Coon Rapids, Iowa.
Betty grew up on a farm in southwest Iowa and had 8 siblings. Betty went to school and graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1955.
Betty married Jackie Cornell and to this union a daughter, Tammy, was born. They later divorced. Betty married Gary Thompson and to this union a son and daughter, Brandon and Metinka, were born. They later divorced.
Betty went to DMACC and earned a small business management degree all while having young children.
Being a single parent, Betty worked hard to take care of her children. She worked at the local cable company, County Wide Plumbing & Heating, Dutler Construction, Thompson Electric, Mr. Bills Foodland, Wild Abstract Office, Guthrie Center Times and various jobs in accounting and office management & payroll. She also sold Avon and Hoda.
Betty traveled a lot in her younger years and liked staying close to home later in life.
She enjoyed flowers, gardening, birds, her cats, collecting knick knacks, oil painting, sewing, and writing.
She is survived by her children, Tammy Cornell, Brandon (Geri) Thompson, and Metinka (Brian) Slater. Grandchildren, Kierra Cornell, Abigail Thompson, Tishara Lane, Talyn Slater, Devan (Dwayne) Seeck, Misean (Fidel) Hernandez; and nine great-grandchildren. Also survived by her sisters, Roseanna Leib of California; Connie Hansen of Nebraska; and Marjorie (Mike) Crabbs of Guthrie Center; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Burton (Martha) Wetzel, Donald (Doris) Wetzel, Ralph G. Wetzel, Charles (Nancy) Wetzel, and sister Elnora Purcell.
Cremation has taken place and private graveside services will be held at a later date in Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center.