Betty Jane Frey, 89

Betty Jane Frey, age 89, of Aplington, Iowa, was born the daughter of Ervin and Velma (Salge) Dralle, on January 21, 1936, on a farm near Bristow, Iowa. She graduated from Bristow High School. After graduation, she attended Wartburg College in Waverly and completed her education at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she received a teaching certificate. She taught 4th grade at the Aplington Community School for 

several years.

Betty Jane and Robert D. Frey’s romance began before he served his two years in the United States Army. While he was stationed in Germany building bridges, they sent many letters to one another. Betty Jane Dralle married Robert D. Frey on April 3, 1959, at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Vilmar, Iowa. They lived in Janesville, Iowa, for a year and then in 1961, they moved to Harry Voss’s farm near Aplington, where they farmed and raised cattle.

Betty was a faithful and active member of the Aplington Baptist Church. For many years she enjoyed teaching the Little Juniors, the Aplington Baptist Sunday evening program for children and also Vacation Bible School.

She cared for her family and others well placing their needs above her own. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life such as a good cup of coffee, gardening, walking in her grove and the peacefulness of the farm.

Betty passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025, at Maple Manor Village in Aplington, of natural causes. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Robert D. Frey; her parents, Ervin and Velma Dralle; and one brother, Darold Dralle.

Betty is survived by three children, Lisa (Mark) Robertson of Sheridan, Wyoming, Lane Frey of Des Moines, and Camila (Steve) Haugstad of Aplington; seven grandchildren, Larissa (fiancée, Travis Schott) Frey, Andrew Frey, Cameron (Amanda) Haugstad, Hannah Haugstad, Heidi (Patrick) McDougall, Christian Haugstad and Holly Haugstad; three great-grandchildren, Harper Wernli, Kannon Schott, and Allison Haugstad; two sisters-in-law, Verna Dralle of Mason City, Iowa, and Betty (Harold) Reed of Urbandale, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Aplington Baptist Church in Aplington.  Pastor Tom Detamore officiated the service and Christian Haugstad read the obituary.  The organist was Camila Haugstad and the pianist was Lisa Robertson.  “Now I Belong To Jesus”, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” and “Softly & Tenderly” was sung by the congregation.  Burial was held at Pleasant View Cemetery in Aplington with Lane Frey, Steve Haugstad, Patrick McDougall, Andrew Frey, Christian Haugstad and Brian Wolff serving as Casketbearers.  

Visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, at the Redman Funeral & Cremation Services – Aplington Chapel, and one hour before services at the church.  Memorials may be directed to the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com