Betty Wilson

Elizabeth Celene “Betty” Drorbaugh Wilson, 89, of Corning, IA, died July 12, 2010, at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning.
Betty was born the twin daughter of Harry M. and Elizabeth Ila Seamans Drorbaugh on October 5, 1920 on a rural Kent, IA farm. She graduated from Lenox High School in 1938. Betty played one season of basketball, in her senior year, as a starter on the 1938 state runner up. Betty attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating with a 2 year degree in 1940. Betty participated in AAU basketball for AIB, traveling the U.S. and Canada. Betty then taught school at one room country school known as Jasper Center, south of Corning.
On September 11, 1943, she was united in marriage to Donald S. Wilson in Battle Creek, Michigan where he was stationed with the U. S. Army. After Don was assigned to duty in Europe, Betty and her newborn daughter, Donna made their home in Lenox. Upon Don’s discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945 Don and Betty began their lifetime career farming, first on a farm west of Lenox, then north of Carbon, then southeast of Lenox and finally south of Corning. Betty always enjoyed gardening and a huge strawberry patch was her gardening pride and joy. There were lots of strawberries for relatives and friends. She also raised chickens and marketed the eggs-she was the only member of the family who liked having chickens on the farm. Following Don’s death in September of 1973, Betty moved to Corning and commuted to Lenox where she worked at Dale’s Clothing until the store closed. She always enjoyed telling stories of her work at “the store”. Thereafter, she volunteered for many causes.
Betty was a member of the Corning United Methodist Church, Unity Circle. She loved to pick up a friend, take her to church and go out for lunch. She was also a member of the Main Street Organizational Committee and the Corning Legion Auxiliary. In her retirement, she crocheted afghans for all grandkids and embroidered enough quilt blocks to make each of her three children a quilt.
In December, 2009 she moved to Vintage Park in Lenox where she resided until her recent illness. She greatly enjoyed her time with the residents and always commented on the wonderful people who worked there and how good the food was-plus she didn’t have to cook it or wash the dishes!
She is survived by her son, Mick Wilson (Paula) of Ashland, MO, and daughters Donna West of Corning and Angie Maassen (Dale) of Hancock, IA; grandchildren Gary (Shelly) West of Prescott, Larry (Angie) West and Joni (Randy) Cook all of Creston, Eric Maassen of Sheldon, IA, and Cory Maassen of Hancock, step-grandchildren Cody and Blaine Baker of Missouri, eight great-grandchildren(Travis, Michael, Ashley, Brian, Tyler, Ryan, Kaleb, Jacob), sister Leota Hall of Denison, IA, nephews and nieces including Marilyn Erickson of Essex with whom she enjoyed many road trips.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Wilson, her parents, twin brother Harry (Bob) Drorbaugh, and sister Thirza Hucke.