The Life of BETTY AILEEN HAMILTON
Betty A. Hamilton went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 22, 2014 at Mill-Pond Care Center in Ankeny. Born in Knoxville, IA on May 31, 1926, Betty grew up in Gosport and lived in Des Moines most of her life. Betty met and later married the boy next door. After graduating in 1943 with the last graduating class of West High (which was also the first graduating class of Des Moines Technical High), she resided at Esther Hall, a single women’s residence in Des Moines while working. She married Donald Robert Hamilton, in 1946 and they were married almost 61 years. A homemaker and day care provider most of her life, Betty was also a leader for the Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls. She and Don served on local, state, and national levels of foster parenting organizations and opened their hearts and home to approximately 30 foster children. Betty also loved caring for children at Wee Care Center at Union Park Baptist Church for 27 years -- until she was 75 years old. The family attended Evangelical Covenant Church for many years and Betty currently was a member of Union Park Baptist Church. Betty was an active volunteer in the Awana program. She found joy in her faith, grandchildren, traveling, porcelain doll-making, and crafts.
Betty is survived by her loving family - Nancy (Bill) Routt of Grimes, IA, Beverly (Rob) Madsen of New Hope, MN, Robert Hamilton of Des Moines, Donna (Tim) Kelley of Minnetonka, MN, and Tina (Donald) Britt of Des Moines; brother, Richard Brees; sister, Sandra Thompson; 9 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Hamilton; her parents, Chauncey and Opal (Hart) Brees; sisters, Bonnie (Brees) Leonard and Beverly Brees; and great-grandson, Nash Anousis.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening and from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Friday afternoon at Hamilton’s Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral at Highland Memory Gardens.
Betty is survived by her loving family - Nancy (Bill) Routt of Grimes, IA, Beverly (Rob) Madsen of New Hope, MN, Robert Hamilton of Des Moines, Donna (Tim) Kelley of Minnetonka, MN, and Tina (Donald) Britt of Des Moines; brother, Richard Brees; sister, Sandra Thompson; 9 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Hamilton; her parents, Chauncey and Opal (Hart) Brees; sisters, Bonnie (Brees) Leonard and Beverly Brees; and great-grandson, Nash Anousis.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2014 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening and from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Friday afternoon at Hamilton’s Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral at Highland Memory Gardens.
