Betty A. Wilson Swaney

Betty A. Wilson Swaney, 87, passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m., to 1:00 p.m., Monday, February 18, 2019, at Ankeny Funeral Home (1510 W. First Street Ankeny, IA 50023). Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family for a charity of their choosing at a later time.

Betty was born January 7, 1932, to Harry and Elsie (Barker) Plumb, in Farrar, Iowa. She graduated from Grimes High School and was united in marriage to Gilbert Wilson on October 22, 1951 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Gilbert passed away suddenly on June 26, 1975. Betty was re married to Kenneth Swaney on August 11, 1991 in Johnston, Iowa. Ken passed away on March 27, 2009.

Betty was more than just a homemaker, she was a helping hand on the farm along her husband and sons for many years doing everything from working with the pigs to driving tractors. Her first job she held while Gilbert was gone in the military was for Hopkins Sporting Goods. She also worked for Olan Mills and owned her own Ceramics shop in Granger. Betty and Ken enjoyed camping and wintered in Arizona for many years. Most importantly, Betty loved spending time with her grandchildren, whom she babysat for whenever she got the chance.

Betty is survived by her three sons: David (Jenny) Wilson of Ankeny, Darrell (Theresa) Wilson of Mesa, AZ and Dennis Wilson of Earlham; grandchildren: Amanda Foote, Shayna (Jacob) Wood, Heather (Ryan) Hoyme, Elyse Wilson (Lucas Tennis), Erin Wilson and Jessi (Chase) Russell; step grandchildren: Toby Schaeffer, Tiffany Langbehn, Mark (Allison) Schlief, Melanie (Nick) Earles; and her grandchildren by choice: Ben (Jess) Hinds; 10 great-grandchildren, 11 step great-grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren by choice; she is further survived by two sisters: Karla Stone and Faith Barker, brother and sister in law, Glenn (Elaine) Wilson, sister-in-law, Mary Wilson and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Gilbert Wilson and Kenneth Swaney; brother, Jerry Plumb; brother-in-law, Herb Wilson and sister-in-laws, Madeline Wickwire and Daisy Pietzman.