Betty Bechtel

Betty R. Bechtel, 92, of Waukon died Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Friday, March 21 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with Rev. Cathy Jurgens officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Betty Rose Bechtel was born July 11, 1932, in Waterville, the daughter of Ingvold and Isabelle (Hanson) Christianson. Isabelle passed away when Betty was young and Ingvold remarried to Mabel (Peterson) Christianson. She graduated from Waterville High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball.

While at a dance at Rainbow Gardens in Waterville, Betty met the love of her life, Calvin Bechtel. The two were married September 30, 1951, at Old East Paint Creek Church in rural Waterville.

Betty was a hard-working homemaker and also helped on the family farm. She had a knack for music and enjoyed playing hymns on the piano, embroidering, doing crossword puzzles, and playing solitaire. More than anything, she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; she was especially involved in caring for her granddaughter, Heather Peck. Betty had a heart of gold and touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

Survivors include her two children, Robert (Cindy) Bechtel of Decorah and Corene Peck of Waukon; 10 grandchildren: Thea (Brian) Rentschler, Danny (Nicole) Willis, Jennifer (Jeremy) Cuff, Kim (Nick) Engrav, Mike (Andrea) Peck, Ryan (Trish) Peck, Shawn Peck, Angela McConnell, Tiffany (Heather) Loomis, and Zack Loomis; and 27 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Calvin in 1995; her parents and step-mother, Mabel; a brother, Carlton Christianson; and two granddaughters, Heather and Nicole Peck.
Casketbearers were Zach Loomis, Mike, Ryan and Shawn Peck, and Bentley and Dan Willis.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.