Betty Krebs

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Krebs Rehder was born January 8, 1926 to Paul Vernon Jones and Mary Ellen (Richey) Jones in Mitchell, South Dakota. She grew up in Huron, South Dakota with her mother and with the loving care of the Van Dykes, who became like family. She was introduced to the love of the Lord in the Van Dyke living room where people gather to worship weekly. She graduated from Huron High School where she excelled as a vocal soloist and was chosen for the lead in eight school operettas. While in high school she worked at Huron Utilities. After graduation she moved with her mother to Rochester, MN where she worked in a jewelry store and the Kahler Hotel as a waitress to earn funds for college. In 1946, she earned an elementary teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She taught first grade in Lake Park, IA from 1946-1948 and continued teaching first, fourth and reading from 1959-1989. She graduated with a BA degree from Buena Vista College in 1979. Betty was united in marriage to Birney Freeman Krebs on December 20, 1947 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Park, IA. They lived and farmed the Arnold and Mable Rehder farm northeast of Lake Park until Birney's death in 2003. Betty remained on the farm until 2007. Birney was adopted late in life by the Rehder family changing their legal name to Krebs Rehder. Being an only child, she longed for a large family and saw their five children as a gift from God. Valuing family was a joy and priority. She was attentive to the well being of each child and their families. In 2007 Betty moved from the farm to an independent living apartment at Heritage Landing in West Okoboji, IA. She cherished the view from her living room window. The sunsets were awing, reminding her of the farm as she marveled at the glory of the Lord's workmanship. Betty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she served as a member of United Presbyterian Women, a teacher, choir director and member, a soloist and was an Elder. After moving, she attended church at Good News Community Church in Okoboji. There she participated in leading and hosting Bible study at Heritage Landing and in church small group studies. Betty died at the age of 87 on June 25, 2013 at the Milford Nursing Center, Milford, Iowa after a paralyzing stroke on June 7, 2013. She is survived by children Mary Sloan and husband Ken of Milford, IA, Jean Berge and husband Steve of Iowa City, IA, Ruth Bates of Manhattan, Kansas and Birney Robert (Bob) Krebs and wife Jill of Okoboji, IA. Also surviving are grandchildren Aaron Sloan and wife Carrie of Milford, IA, David Sloan and wife Leslie of Garner, IA, Mark Sloan and wife Becky of Onawa, IA, Gretchen Minton and husband David of Andover, MN, Kathryn Berge of Washington DC, Kristine Berge of Ames, IA, Greg Bates and wife Jenni of Centerville, SD, Megan Bates of Yankton, SD, Jared Bates Davies and wife Jordan of Manhattan, KS, Alex Krebs of Iowa City, IA, Tyler Krebs and Jackson Krebs of Okoboji, IA and 13 great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister-in-law Norma Krebs of Ankeny, IA and five nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her husband Birney, daughter Carol Mason, and her parents.