Betty June Guy

Mrs. Betty June Guy, died at 10:40 a.m. June 12, 2015, at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington. This day was her 94th birthday... (Born June 12, 1921 in Neenah, Wisconsin). She was the daughter of Harvey Joachim and Laura Jean (Wehrman) Sindahl. On October 16, 1938 Ralph and Betty eloped and kept it a secret until she graduated. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2013. Ralph preceded her in death January 2, 2014. As a child, Betty sketched constantly, ambitious to be a dress designer. While studying Art History and Design in Chicago, she was encouraged to develop her talent for painting in oil colors. Her mother, Laura Sindahl, an artist, provided home instruction and basic techniques and perspective. Betty sold her first painting to her literature teacher for $3.00! Betty and Ralph and family moved to Burlington in 1953. Betty later accepted a position with J.S. Schramm Co. During the 21 years Betty was there she earned titles of Buyer, Fashion Coordinator and later Marketing Director. Many remember the entertaining and glamorous fashion shows and the Seventeen Magazine Beauty Workshops for young women 13 to 18. During that time Betty was taking ...[more]

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anced Art night classes with Dick Anderson (for twelve years) Clay and Plaster sculpturing with James Hunt and several years of welding classes taught by Bob Madison so she could do metal sculpture. John Weyl's silkscreen monoprint classes at SCC enticed early retirement. Two semesters of Advanced Art and Design followed. Art Center classes include impressionistic painting, Ted Rasmussen Oriental Sumi ink and wash, Dwight Kirsh, sculpture with a model, John Northcutt, silkscreen, Wendell Mohr, paper making and paper sculptures, Bjorg Holte and Raku, Don Keegan, batik, Susan Kessell, pastels David Garrison and calligraphy, Connie Japsen. Although Betty was working full time, which left little time for exhibiting, her work won many awards. After several one-woman shows, Betty and Ralph held a combined median and woodworking crafts show. These awards include a first in Metal Sculpture design, Best of Show in graphics, first in City and State in watercolors in Floral Design. Clay sculpture placed second in Iowa City show. As President of the Art Guild in 1972-73, Betty was instrumental in starting a fund to buy the Historic German Church that housed the Art Guild for over thirty years. She showed on Snake Alley Art Show for many years, during Steamboat Days. The street was her inspiration for her well known four seasons of the Snake Alley designs and prints. Don and June Current commissioned the first Snake Alley painting, after improved renovations were completed by the City Beautification Committee. Schramm's sponsored style show spurred contribution giving along with yearly involvement of the Federated Women's Club in a fashion show. A member of the Carthage Lake Club for many years, former Elks Club and Hospital Auxiliary, Women's Clubs, Antiques and Physiology department, P.E.O. Chapter N.H., Historical Society, T.T.T. Chapter IA, and Kings Daughters Norman Circle. She enjoyed for over five years a Women's Bridge Club, Tailgaters and a thirty year Pinochle Club group to the present time. Love of travel influenced respect for Oriental Arts. 800 pounds of rock adorns the South room wall. The Protectorate, a giant dragon, was designed and installed by Betty and Ralph after the children left home. Survivors include a son, Terry Guy of Scotts Valley, CA and his two children, Glen Guy of Santa Cruz, CA and Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Denine Guy, of Aptos, CA; a daughter, Kendal Dionne, of Burlington, IA and her three sons, Lt. Colonel Dominique Dionne, of Dumfries, VA, Damien Dionne, of Spotsylvania, VA and Donovan Dionne, of Burlington; nine great grandchildren; a brother, Rev. Harvey Sindahl, of Solvang, CA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her husband, a sister, Faythe Stacy and grandson, Kenneth Guy preceded her in death. The memorial service for Mrs. Guy will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 3rd, at Lunning Chapel. Inurnment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for the Great River Hospice House and The Burlington Art Guild.