Mary E. (Betty) Stensrud Wood

Ozark, Missouri

Betty was born March 7, 1923 and left this life on Thursday, February 19, 2015 from her home at Ozark Care Nursing Home in Ozark, Missouri.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Irene Magers; her husbands, Vern Stensrud and Chester Wood; and a brother, William Magers. She is survived by her two children: son, David (Debra) Stensrud of Urbandale, Iowa and daughter, Nancy (Phil) Rogers of Scottsdale, Arizona; six grandchildren, Mindy (Jon) Toll of Germantown, Tennessee, Ryan (Alesha) Stensrud of Polk City, Iowa, Alyssa Stensrud of Des Moines, Iowa, Renee Rogers of Irvine, California, Gabby (Kenny) Patton of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Leslie Stensrud of Urbandale, Iowa; ten great- grandchildren; and nephews, Bryan (Chris) Magers and Randy (Ellen) Magers.

Betty graduated from Central High School followed by business school in Springfield, Missouri. She began working at Ft. Riley were she was a civil secretary, and met and married Vern Stensrud. They were married in 1946 and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where they started their family. A company transfer took them to Duluth, Minnesota for seven years then to Des Moines, Iowa where they made their permanent home. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and homemaker. Later she was employed by the Des Moines Register where she worked as an executive secretary for 12 years.

Following the death of her first husband she married Chester Wood and moved to Bella Vista Arkansas. There she enjoyed many hours of playing golf and socializing with family and friends. The last five years of her life she was well taken care of by the loving staff of Ozark Care Nursing home in Ozark, Missouri.

Betty will most be remembered by her beautiful smile, gracious personality, sweetness, and love for her family and friends.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24th at Valley United Methodist Church, 4201 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, Iowa, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice Compassus of Springfield, Missouri.

Arrangements under the direction of McLarens Resthaven Chapel & Mortuary, West Des Moines, IA.