Betty A. Werkmeister, age 88, of Pocahontas, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Iowa. She died with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Betty Anne Barmore was born on May 23, 1935, in Adams, NE to William (Bill) and R Jane Barmore. She was welcomed by her siblings Mildred, Earl, Clinton (Mike) and LaVern (Ole). When Betty was 4 ½ years old the family relocated to Eagle Grove, Iowa. Betty graduated in 1953 from Eagle Grove High School. She then attended night school to receive her shorthand certificate and went to work as the secretary to the City Clerk in Fort Dodge. From there she went to Celotex Gypsum in Fort Dodge. This is where she met her future husband.

Betty married Guy Still on June 25, 1957, at the First Baptist Church in Fort Dodge. This union was blessed with five children: Wesley, Jane, Jeffrey, Jonathan and Carole Anne (who was born three weeks after Guy's death). Guy passed away due to injuries from a motor vehicle accident in 1967.

After Guy's death, Betty's parents and siblings helped move her and the family back to Fort Dodge, Iowa. After a few months there, Betty decided it would be best to move the children to a smaller town. So they moved to Eagle Grove. They lived there until Betty remarried in December, 1972.

Betty married Alvin Werkmeister on December 27, 1972, and gained six more children: Connie, Janette, Ronald, Alan, Pamela and Glenda Werkmeister. It was a busy household with eleven kids. Betty went from a city girl to a farmer, learning how to run farm machinery and farmed beside Alvin for many years. Even though she had loads and loads of laundry to do, many meals to make, canning and freezing to do, Betty still found time to go dancing, travel, sew and play cards. She was an accomplished bowler in her younger years.

After Alvin passed away, Betty decided it was time to give up her big home and moved to Arlington Assisted Living in Pocahontas. Being the social person that she was, she thrived there. Reconnecting with friends, making new friends and participating in the majority of the activities offered there until her health declined too much to do that. She was well cared for at Arlington and loved by the staff like she was one of their family members. The family would like to thank the staff at Arlington for everything they did for Betty. Also, a huge thank you to St. Croix Hospice for their care during the end of her life.

Betty was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church from December 1972 until the day she passed. She worked part-time as the secretary for a while and was part of the women's group until her later years.

Betty had a very strong faith, which saw her through numerous tragedies and losses.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husbands, her children Wesley, Jonathan, and Carole Anne as well as her step-sons Ronald Werkmeister and Daniel Still.

Betty is survived by her children Jane (Randy) Nees of Pocahontas, Jeff (Marybeth) Still of Ankeny and step-children Connie, Janette, Alan, Pam and Glenda Werkmeister of Iowa City. She is also survived by her grandchildren Matt (Chelsy) Scharn, Mike (Lora) Scharn, Carolyn Still and Caitlyn Still as well as her great-grandchildren Easton, Mason, Dawson, Jackson, Addilyn and Cooper Scharn. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren and their families: Guy (Heidi) Still and Oliver, Margaret (John) Thompson; Mary (James) Williams and Isiah; Amanda (Jarid) Kuchenreuther, Peyton and Paxton and Jess (Eric) Pierce and Isaac; Melinda (Chad) Gaskin, Dakota, Savannah and Charlotte; Krystal (Bryant) Williams, DJ and Gavin; Victoria (Tyler) Williams.

Betty was well loved by her nieces and nephews. She loved to tell the stories of them growing up, sharing a special memory of each one.

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our Mom but knowing she has reunited with family in Heaven gives us peace. She fought the good fight - job well done good and faithful servant.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Betty's name to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Pocahontas.