Betty Aswegen

Betty J. Aswegen was born May 3, 1928, in Brookings, South Dakota, to Henry and Hannah (Fischer) Bohlen. She was the fifth child of a family of eight. Betty completed her education to the 8th grade to help out on the family farm. At the age of 15 she met Dave Aswegen, He asked her to wait for him while he was in the service, which she did. They married three years later on January 31, 1947. The wedding was a double wedding with her sister, Carrie, and on her youngest sister, Maxine’s first birthday. They made their home east of Parkersburg on the Aswegen family farm. They later moved south of Parkersburg to farm. Dave died September 20, 1990. Betty enjoyed being a housewife and mother. She loved to cook and to this day no one has duplicated some of her recipes, like her corn relish, stuffing and potato salad. She cooked by taste and very seldom ever used a cookbook, although she had lots of them.
Betty enjoyed polka music, playing cards, bowling, making ceramics, bus trips and dancing. She also played the piano, accordion, and banjo all by ear, she couldn’t read a note. She would watch other people play and then go home and chord the music. It was a joy to watch her do that. Betty enjoyed her family immensely and always looked forward to picnics, family birthdays and get-togethers – she never wanted to miss any occasion. When she fell and broke her hip and then had to move into assisted living, she never wanted to be a burden to any of us, that just was her nature. When Covid struck, it was very hard on her because she couldn’t see family. Later when the restrictions were lifted, she couldn’t wait to go outside and visit with us.
Betty was a long time member of the Stout Reformed Church in Stout, Iowa.
Betty suffered a heart attack on Saturday, September 19 and went home to the Lord on Friday, October 2, 2020, at the age of 92. Betty is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, David; her parents; one baby boy, David; four sisters, Matilda, Dena, Carrie and Annie; and one brother, Henry.
Left to cherish her memory forever are her children, Beverly (Ray) Grell of Clear Lake, Iowa, Dennis (Myra) and Bryon (Renise) of Parkersburg, and Daryl of St. John, Michigan. Betty has 13 grandchildren, Sabra (BJ) Hill from Windsor, Colorado, Erin (Chris) Barkema of Story City, Alissa (Mike) Muffley of Lehighton, PA, Chris Grell (Samantha) of Des Moines, Ross Aswegen of Iowa City, Sarah (Brad) Eiklenborg of Stout, Reed (Traci) Aswegen of Parkersburg, Caleb (Abi) Aswegen of Belmond, Callie Aswegen of Wheaton, IL, Celsey Aswegen of Grundy Center, Kennedy, Kyler and Dawson Aswegen of St. John, MI; 13 great-grandchildren, Reagan, Nathan, Nathan, Alana, Missy, Lexi, Britnie, Kelton, Liam, Max, Trey, Mikey & Jax; one sister, Maxine Magedanz of Clarksville; and one brother, Larry Bohlen of Missouri and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 6, 2020, at Reformed Church of Stout. Pastor Dawson Ackerman officiated the service. Organist was Elaine Schnell and she accompanied the congregation as they sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Old Rugged Cross “. Beverly Grell shared family memories. Burial was held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg with Betty’s grandsons, Caleb Aswegen, Reed Aswegen, Ross Aswegen, Dawson Aswegen, Chris Barkema and Brad Eiklenborg serving as Casketbearers.
Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Parkersburg, and one hour before services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family. Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Parkersburg was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.redman-schwartz.com