Elizabeth “Betty” Kness, 89, of Iowa Falls, passed away Friday, March 8, 2019 at Scenic Manor. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Friday, March 15, 2019 at the First Christian Church in Iowa Falls. She will be laid to rest at the Union Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until service time on Friday at the church. Woodley Funeral Home, LLC of Iowa Falls is caring for Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth, known as “Betty” to everyone, was born May 28, 1929, the eldest child of four born to William McKinley and Avonelle (Bennett) Watson.
Even though their home was in San Diego, California, it was important to Avonelle that “Betty Lou” be born at the Bennett home at 410 Talbott Street in Iowa Falls. The family lived in California until 1945, when they returned to Iowa Falls to live. Betty always treasured her first friends at IFHS, and the “Round Robin” letter they started after graduation (Class of 1947) was one of her favorite things.
While working at the soda fountain of National 5 – 10 and $1, she met a handsome and fun guy named Warren Kness, who was a salesman for Borden’s Ice Cream. Their first date was the Borden’s Christmas party in 1946. They married August 20, 1950 and moved to their home on Hwy 65, south of town.
That house was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in 1955, but Warren and Betty rebuilt on the same ground and lived there until 2011. Their daughter, Barbara, was born in 1953, followed by twins, Ann and Mark, in 1959. Betty earned her teaching degree from Ellsworth College in 1949 and taught first grade at Central School.
She was a born teacher! She loved her little first graders and always kept track of them through the years. In later years, she served as a substitute teacher and tutor in the Iowa Falls Schools.
She also worked for Carl Hamilton at the Times Citizen, serving as “society editor” and filling in where needed. Her compassion and desire to help took many forms over the years: Christian Women’s Fellowship, Sunday School teacher, church choir, Ellsworth Hospital Guild, PTA, Mother’s Club, Union Cemetery Ladies Social Gathering (Cemetery Society), Edgewood, CWF Thrift Shop, and she was a Hospice worker for over 20 years. Later in life (1965), she learned to drive and learned to swim.
Warren insisted on two things: That she learn to drive and that he not be the one to teach her! She took numerous classes over the years, and she and Warren were able to attend several Elderhostels and Warren’s Navy reunions. She rode her first RAGBRAI with Ramona Welden’s group at age 60.
A great cook and artist, Betty was known for her delicious cinnamon rolls, and fresh homemade cookies. She made cookies for the garbage guys every Monday morning! She was a fantastic seamstress, whether it was a Halloween costume or a quilt.
One of her greatest talents was her beautiful calligraphy…whether it was a birthday card or a letter (yes, she still wrote letters! ) …she had the ability to make everyone feel special! Betty Kness is survived by her children, Barbara Nuss of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Ann Kness of Webster City, Iowa and Mark Kness of Arvada, Colorado; a grandson, William Warren Nuss (“Billy”) of Norfolk, NE and his fiance’, Karlie Kudrna; sister, Linda (Watson) Ferguson of Rochester, MN; sister-in-law, Mary Watson of Littleton, CO and her many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren and her two brothers, William R. Watson and Ronald J. Watson. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Elizabeth L. Kness please visit our Sympathy Store.
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