(SB) - Betty Lou Lester, 97, of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, passed away peacefully April 13, 2024, at Floyd Senior Living in Sergeant Bluff, surrounded by her loving family. A visitation will be held at 1 PM followed by a funeral service at 2 PM Thursday, April 18, at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City. A burial service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following.
Betty Lou Faulkender was born to Ivan and Mary (Bowser) Faulkender on August 25, 1926, in Sioux City, Iowa. She attended Sioux City schools graduating from East High School in 1944. She married William “Bill” Lester June 5, 1948, in Sioux City. She worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company from 1953 until retirement in 1981. Betty Lou was of Christian faith. She was an honorary life member of Communications Workers of America and Telephone Pioneers of America.
You could find young Betty Lou gliding around the roller rink with Bill or canning vegetables from their massive garden. They grew the BEST tomatoes! Betty and Bill also enjoyed a few warm winters in Port Aransas, Texas, visiting family and friends along the way. Later, Betty Lou planned monthly lunches with her class of ‘44 friends, spent time in Tennessee with best friend, Dorothy, and became an avid Survivor fan, documenting the castaways’ fate for 45 seasons. Always, she loved the outdoors and being with her family, especially to play her favorite card game, SkipBo.
Betty is survived by two children, Gary (Sheryl) Lester and Terry Lester of Sergeant Bluff; much younger sister Nina (Pete) Cropley of Moville; grandchildren, Tevie Lester, Matt (Bridget) Lester, Hydie Poole, Amy (Craig) Showalter, Angie Lester; great-grandchildren, Cortnie (Anthony), Sadie, Avery, Kloie, Jace, Jersie, Berklie; great-great-grandchildren; Ryker, Emberlie, River & Raiden. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill (1995); sister Waneta Pauley (1996) and brother Everett Faulkender (2004).
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to Betty Lou’s family to make a donation in her honor.
If you choose to send flowers, please order from Aster & Rose Floristry in Onawa, owned by Betty Lou’s great-granddaughter, Sadie.
