Betty Wiest

Betty Wiest, age 84, of Ft. Atkinson, IA, died Thursday, November 21, 2013, at Wellington Place Nursing Home in Decorah, IA. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2013, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ft. Atkinson, IA, with Father Nick March presiding. Burial will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, IA. Friends may call from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., on Sunday, November 24, and also on Monday morning after 9:00 a.m., at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, 201 Main Street, Fort Atkinson, IA. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m., and a scripture service at 5:00 p.m., on Sunday. Betty Jean (Doubek) Wiest was born on June 30, 1929, the daughter of William and Cecelia (Frana) Doubek north of Fort Atkinson, Iowa. Betty attended St. John’s Catholic School and graduated from Fort Atkinson High School. Betty enjoyed playing basketball and softball. Betty was united in marriage to Arnold Wiest on September 27, 1949, at St. John’s Catholic Church. They were married sixty-four years. Betty enjoyed being a homemaker, gardening and taking care of their small farm. Above all, Betty loved her family and grandchildren. In 2011, Betty received the Governor’s Award for volunteering for thirty-five years. Betty was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Catholic Workman for sixty years. Betty is survived by her husband: Arnold Wiest, Fort Atkinson, IA. Four children: Norma (Ted) Cahalan, Decorah, IA; Charles Wiest, Fort Atkinson, IA; Roger (Linda) Wiest, Fort Atkinson, IA; and James (Trish) Wiest, Yukon, OK. Three grandchildren: Michael (Jenny), Michele (Shalom) Avitar, and Matthew. Eight great grandchildren: Shawn, Melanie, Steven, Emily, Sam, Maggie, Kylie and Caden. Two sisters: Blanche (Ronald) Jirak, Protivin, IA, and Elaine (Robert) Klimesh, Fort Atkinson, IA. Two sisters-in-law: Vera Wiest, Fort Atkinson, IA, and Ann (Bill) Swisher, Waterloo, IA, along with several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents: William and Cecelia (Frana) Doubek. One granddaughter: Melissa. Three brothers-in-law: Clarence Wiest, Art (Ellen) Wiest, and Henry Wiest, Jr. Her father and mother-in-law: Henry and Agnes (Vorda) Wiest.