Betty was born June 2, 1933 in Carbon, Iowa to the late Vernon and Opal Fleharty. She enjoyed her childhood growing up in Creston, Iowa with her brothers Raymond and Rodney and graduated from Creston High School. Shortly after graduation she married the love of her life, Loren Crouse on June 9th, 1951. Loren’s Navy career would take them to California where they would live for the next 30 years until they returned to their roots in Creston, Iowa. Their final move would be to Peoria, AZ in 2008 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Betty loved an adventure and was always the first to say let’s do it. She cherished her two children and was always the mom to raise her hand and volunteer, and of course bake and decorate the cake. Ever the team mom, the lunch lady, the recess lady and room mom. They say no mother is perfect, but she certainly was close. She enjoyed camping and riding motorcycles with the family at Oak Springs Ranch, summer vacations back to Iowa to visit family and attend annual family reunions. She was a diehard California Angels fan, do not mess with her Angels. Wherever she lived there was always a garden and flowers that would have her special attention. She also loved to sew and make quilts. She even created T-shirt quilts for her grandchildren which they will forever cherish. Her Church and relationship with Christ were also her priority. She taught preschool at both her Churches in California and Iowa. Betty cherished the close friendships she made at Redeemer Lutheran Church and they lasted a lifetime. She was the most loving caretaker of her parents, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and husband. And she showed us all that it’s never too late to be adventurous by jumping out of an airplane on her 80th birthday.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, Loren A Crouse, her parents Vernon and Opal, brother Raymond and many other cherished family and friends. We know she was received with wide open arms.
She is survived by her children, James D Crouse (Karen), Lori A Day and her brother Rodney Fleharty (Judy). She will be lovingly remembered by five grandchildren, Kenna Crouse, Tyler Crouse, Kaitlyn Crouse, Ryann Turpin (Harrison) and Madigan Day. Forever in the hearts of her brothers and sisters in law, many nieces and nephews, Church friends and the many many people she touched along her journey here on Earth. She will be interned at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona alongside her sailor. Loren and Betty will be together again on their 70th wedding Anniversary.
“and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” -Ecclesiastes 12:7
A memorial service will be held on June 5, 2021 at 11:00 at Life in Christ Lutheran Church -14802 N. 75th Ave., Peoria, AZ 85381. Luncheon to follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Linked here Alzheimer's Association or 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Morning Star Assisted Living for their love, caring and support in her final days.
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