Betty Mae Bowles

    Betty Mae Quintus Mericle Bowles was born on April 18, 1925, to Mildred and Floyd Quintus in Mackinaw, Illinois.  Her family moved to Eagle Grove when she was a child and she graduated from Eagle Grove High School.  She became a teacher and taught at a country school before marrying.  She married Donald Mericle in 1948 and they had 5 children.  After their divorce, Betty moved to the Des Moines area.  She moved to California in 1979, where she met and married Max Bowles and lived in Saratoga, California.  She returned to Iowa in 2000 and lived in Goldfield until 2008 when she moved into Rotary Senior Living. In 2018 she moved to Nora Springs care center where she enjoyed many new friends, the staff, and visitors. 

    Betty passed away on Friday, August 2, 2019, at the Nora Springs Care Center in Nora Springs, Iowa.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Mildred Quintus; husband, Max Bowles; sister, Lois Lester and brother-in-law, Vern Lester; brother-in- law, Orville Steffenson and son, Keith Mericle.

    She is survived by her children: Lynda Knight of Aurora, Colorado, Steve (Renae) Mericle of Manly, Iowa, Craig (Kady) Mericle of Plymouth, Iowa and Kathy (Mike) Sheesley of Browns Valley, California.  She leaves behind grandchildren Devon (Holly) Baller, Ryan Baller, Cher (Layne) Brown, Tracy (Steve) Hilpipre, Brooke (David) Benton, Travis Mericle, Jon (Jen) Mericle, Mike (Martha) Mericle, Robyn (James) Shinn, Chad (Traci) Sheesley, Liz (Matt) Martin, and Sherry (Jason) Coughennower, Joseph Porcelli, Marigrace (John) Nicholson, Alissa (Ben) Bergman, Taron Nichols, Ana Zavala, Amy Finley, along with many adopted grandchildren that she loved unconditionally and many great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild; brother, Bill (Dot) Quintus of Eagle Grove; sisters, Bev (John) Nelsen of Eagle Grove and Charlotte Steffenson of Goldfield; and so many precious nieces and nephews that she adored.  She thoroughly enjoyed her friends, family, classmates, and her Friday sister day! 

    A Memorial service for Betty will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2019 at the Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove with Pastor Richard Taylor officiating.  Lunch and fellowship will follow the services. Burial in Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove. 

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