"Margaret and family: Remember Ralph and you coming to your mom's house. Sorry for your loss. The Buckman Girls. "
In loving memory of
Ralph E. Betts
December 1, 1927 - April 17, 2019
Ralph E. Betts, 91, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton. He was born on December 1, 1927, in Oran, Iowa, to Earl and Esther (Nichols) Betts.
Ralph graduated from Oelwein High School. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1951 to 1952. On October 19, 1952, Ralph was united in marriage to Margaret Munger in Hazleton, Iowa.
Ralph owned and operated Betts's Body Shop in Hampton for many years. He was a member of the VFW and previously volunteered on the Hazleton Fire Department. Ralph enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, bird feeding and most of all family activities.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 66 years, Margaret Betts of Hampton, sister Dorothy Tolman of Iowa City, brothers Ron (Chris) Betts of Osage and Richard Betts of Medical Lake, Washington, daughter Connie Betts of Woodbine, son Douglas (Karen) Betts of Albion, granddaughter Andrea (Roy) Selvera of Cleveland, Texas, grandson Aaron (Kate) Betts of Albion, granddaughter Jennifer (Ken) Harrington and their family of Melbourne, great-grandson Aiden Murphy of Cleveland, Texas, niece Linda Rohrig and family, along with several other relatives and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Esther Betts, brother Carl Betts, sister Donna Downs (Rissler), infant daughter Diana and infant son Michael Betts.
Ralph's family would like to thank Franklin Country View Nursing Facility and staff for all of their kindness and caring throughout the last few years while Ralph was living there.
Tributes
"A very nice man, my condolences to the family. You all have a lifetime of memories. JR Price"
"Uncle Ralph often came and visited me while I was working at the Franklin County Hospital. I remember one Christmas Day, he drove to the hospital to bring me cookies that he and Margaret had made especially for me since I was working the holiday. Loving Memory, Kim Betts - daughter of Ron and Chris Betts"