Elizabeth (Betty) Jane James

Elizabeth (Betty) Jane James, 84, passed away Saturday, October 20, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. She will be cremated and a memorial gathering will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Ankeny Funeral Home.

Betty was born June 25, 1928 in Wesley, Iowa to Carl and Mildred (Shimp) Oelrich, the third of five children.

She graduated from Schaller High School and then attended Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI). She married Clarke Charles James on June 27, 1952, to this union four children were born. They lived most of their life in Ankeny, IA. Betty was a manager at H&R Block from 1970 – 1985. After retirement they enjoyed wintering in Texas.

Betty enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, her grandchildren, her dogs, and Prairie Meadows.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clarke in 1992, an infant daughter, and two brothers; Ken and Carl Oelrich.

Survivors include her three children; Bill (Sharon) James of St. Charles, IA; Janet of Ankeny, Steve of Ankeny, seven grandchildren; Daniel (Carla), Bryan, David, Jeremy, Victoria, Marie, Shannon, one great granddaughter, Bailey, two sisters; Mary (Lane) Widmark of Lebanon, OR; Dorothy (Rusty) Oelrich of Napa, CA; and four sisters- in-law.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Central Iowa.