Betty Ellen Waters

Betty Ellen (Richey) Waters, formerly of Ames, Iowa, passed away on October 31, 2025, at the Vi Retirement Community and Care Center in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 2900 Hoover Ave. in Ames, with burial to follow at Ames Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to Mass. A further opportunity to visit with the family and celebrate Betty's life will take place at the Homewood Golf Course Clubhouse, 401 E. 20th St. from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Betty was born October 14, 1932, in Clarinda, Iowa, to Howard H. and Minnie Talkington Richey. Betty lived in Clarinda, Guthrie Center, and Carthage, Illinois, before moving with her family to Carroll, Iowa, in 1947. She graduated from Carroll High School [CHS] in 1950, where she was a cheerleader, the school's 1949 ping pong champion, and where she met her future husband - a CHS class of 1945 graduate who asked to be introduced to the "cute blonde" following a pep rally for the football team.
Betty enrolled in the Iowa State Teacher's College, in Cedar Falls and later transferred to Simpson College in Indianola, where she received her teaching certificate. She enjoyed many friendships as a member of the Tri Delta sorority and began her teaching career sharing her love of learning with second graders in the Winterset public schools.
On August 8, 1953, Betty and John William (Bill) Waters were married at the Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While living in Cedar Rapids, Betty completed her bachelor's degree, with honors, from Coe College.
Betty and Bill lived in Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Burlington, Iowa, as they followed Bill's career with the Firestone Company and began their family. In 1961, the young family moved to Ames, where Bill went into business for himself, and Betty continued her career as a mother, homemaker and volunteer.
She loved being part of her community and treasured the friendships she made. She was an active member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, P.E.O. Chapter KC, Mary Greeley Auxiliary, Questers, and the Ames Golf & Country Club. Betty also enjoyed golf, bowling, bridge and dancing, and was rarely without a good book in hand.
Betty and Bill impressed on their children how fortunate they were to live and raise their family in Ames. They set an example of respect for and devotion to their faith, family, friends and community that their children strive to emulate.
Betty will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her children: Joan Waters, Jeff (Carol) Waters, Julia (Tim) Flathers, Deb Aratani, Amy (Terry) Davis; eleven grandchildren: Kari (Joseph) Kazer, Kristen (Samuel) Parsons, Torin (Danelle) Waters, Tyler Aratani, Cole (Haley) Aratani, Derek Waters, Alexander Aratani , Mari Davis, Ana Davis, Chad (Kelly) Davis and Greg Davis; ten great-grandchildren: Eva, Elspeth, Jonas, Wyatt, Maret, Margaux, Holiday, Lenora, Willem and Jensen; sisters-in-law: Ann Schulz and Mary Richey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased in death by her husband of more than sixty years, Bill Waters; parents Howard and Minnie Richey; brother Skip Richey; grandson Matthew Aratani; brothers-in-law: Joe Waters, Jim Waters, Bill Tormey, Dan Waters and Norm Schulz; sisters-in-law: Mary (Joe) Waters, Lois (Jim) Waters, and Margaret (Bill) Tormey.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation or the Ames Education Foundation (Lunch Heroes), in memory of Betty Waters.
Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com