Betty Terwilliger

Betty Terwilliger, 87, of Jefferson died Monday, September 19, 2016 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held Friday, Sept. 23 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson with words of comfort given by Rev. Julie Poulsen, First United Methodist Church, Jefferson. Musical selections were “In The Garden” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Gary Haupert was the soloist, accompanied by Sheryl Sloan. Casket bearers were Adrienne Smith, Molle Schmidt, Rich Smith, Lyle Brinker, Sam Harding and Gary Haupert. Interment was in Highland Township Cemetery at Churdan. Memorials are suggested to Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson.

Betty Terwilliger was born July 14, 1929 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was the daughter of Aaron Francis Steeg and Lola E. Coons Steeg.

Betty graduated from Sac City High School in 1946 and moved to Jefferson upon graduation. She worked at J.C. Penny until she married John F. Debner in 1947. They moved to Boone where all four children were born.

In 1956, Betty was divorced from John and in 1958 she moved to a family farm outside of Lake View. Betty was married to Robert Terwilliger in 1966, and in 1968 they moved to Jefferson and then moved to Alexandra in the summer of 1969. Betty and Bob returned to Jefferson to live in 1973.  

Betty began working as a seamstress at American Athletic Inc. in 1973. She retired on October 2, 2004. She had a lifelong love of horses and farming. Betty was a member of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, and also attended services at First Baptist Church.

Betty’s personal philosophy, “A winner never quits and a quitter never wins!” informed her life exemplified by her commitment to her work life and even to the end of her life.

Preceding her in death were her parents; former spouse, John; husband, Robert Terwilliger who died in 1990; Uncle Lester and Aunt Phoebe Coons.

Survivors include three sons: John (Cheryl) Debner of Homewood, Ill.; Steven (Virginia) Debner of Brooklyn Park, Minn,; Dennis (Claudia) Debner of Sharpsburg, Ga.; a daughter, Sandra (Mike) Wooden of Lanesboro, Iowa; ten grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson  515-386-2171.