In Memory of Betty J. Newman

Betty J. Newman, age 81, of Iron River, Michigan, formerally of Battle Creek, Iowa passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at the Iron River Care Center of Iron River, Michigan.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the Christensen- Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Rev. Randy Cormeny will officiate, with committal services following in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Battle Creek, Iowa. A Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2016, at the Christensen- Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com


Born December 6, 1934, in Battle Creek, Iowa, Betty was the daughter of Frank and Effel (Koch) Hein. She grew up outside Battle Creek, and attended school there.

On February 1, 1953, Betty married Leland Newman in Sioux City, Iowa. The couple spent their early years working at the Woodbury County Home outside of Sioux City before moving to Battle Creek where Betty worked as a nurse’s aide, and enjoyed gardening and raising animals on the family farm. She spent her free time crocheting, including designing her own patterns.

Survivors left to cherish their happy memories of Betty include her nieces Romanza (Matt) Petersen of Anthon, Iowa, Helen (Dwight) Jenkins of Hornick, Iowa, Jeanette (Mike) Swenson of Bellevue, Neb., Carol (Jerry) Koenigs of Mapleton, Iowa; LaDonna Bethke of Sioux Falls, S.D., Sandi (David) Bertsch of Iron River, Mich., Tina (Doug) Herold of Casselton, N.D., Linda (Scott) Beverson of Eden Prairie, MN, Pam (Bart) Eisfelder of Evanston, IL, Melissa (Loren) Mammenga of Little Rock, Iowa, and Faith (Dan) Brotherson of Odebolt, Iowa; her nephews Marc (Michelle) Hein of Sioux City, Iowa and Mike (Judy) Hein of Morris, MN, and two brothers-in-law, Dick Harris and Gilbert Davis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Leland, three sisters, Evelyn (Virgil) Bruhn, Phyllis (Gilbert) Davis, Irene (Dick) Harris, and Ellen May Hein; one brother, Herb (Rose) Hein; and a niece, Nicole Davis.