Betty J. Wurst

Betty J. Wurst, 87, of Wyoming passed away on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa. 

Her funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, July 14, 2023 at Zion American Lutheran Church in Wyoming. A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 13 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Dawson Funeral Services in Wyoming. Burial will be at the Wyoming Cemetery. 

Betty Jane was born on November 16, 1935 in Owatonna, Minnesota to John “Ted” and Laura (Schumann) Bahnsen. She was baptized in Minnesota before moving to Wyoming in 1938.  Betty started school at the local country school, then went to town school in 5th grade at Olin. In 1950 they moved to Wyoming when her parents retired from their family farm. During high school she belonged to 4-H for several years, taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir, belonged to the Luther League and served on the church council. She graduated from Wyoming High School in 1954 where she was named the Homecoming Queen. After high school she earned her teaching certificate from ISTC. On December 28, 1956 she was united in marriage to John R. Wurst at the Zion American Lutheran Church in Wyoming. She and John farmed in the same neighborhood area from 1957 until 2003.  She taught for 36 years in total, with her first three in Oxford Junction and the remaining 33 years in Lost Nation. After retirement Betty spent her time substitute teaching for the school for over twenty years.  Betty enjoyed volunteering in her community and was on the school board for six years. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Lorie (Kevin) Dunne of Wyoming, Cliff (Sonia) Wurst of LaVerne, California, four grandchildren: Haley (John) Carlson, Ryan (Kaylin) Dunne, Chloe (Scott) Edger and Aubree Wurst, three great-grandchildren: Grayson, Ella, Oakley, with another one on the way, and a brother John (Judy) Bahnsen of Anamosa. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sisters: Bernelta and Eva and two brothers: Lafe and Jay. 

Memorials may be directed to her family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dawsonfuneral.com. Cards of condolences may be directed to Dawson Funeral Services Attn: Betty Wurst Family Po Box 258 Wyoming, Iowa 52362. 

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