Betty Jean Johnston, daughter of Sylvester and Korine (Lantz) Finley, was born October 20, 1952, in Red Oak, Iowa. Betty died October 9, 2024, at the Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 71 years, 11 months and 20 days.
Betty went to school in Red Oak and graduated with the Class of 1971. After high school she worked as the office manager for the Red Oak Dental Center. Betty married James Johnston on July 29, 1978, in Red Oak, Iowa. They were blessed with three children, Peggy, Leslie, and Ben, nine grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. She continued her education at Buena Vista College and received her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education. She taught second grade and later sixth grade for Griswold Community School District. Betty then pursued and received her Master’s Degree through Northwest Missouri State and was the Griswold Elementary Principal until her retirement.
Betty was a member of the Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold and had served on the church board for many years. She belonged to the professional educator’s sorority Delta Kappa Gamma, Dollars for Scholars, raising funds for the new elementary playground, Lakin Child Development Center, Friends of the Library Fund Raisers and almost anything in the community that required organization, fund-raising and grant writing. She had been in the Bibliobabes Book Club for 25 years, several bridge clubs, the Winers, several birthday clubs, and a couples breakfast group.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim on September 20, 2023.
Betty is survived by her children: Peggy Sue Henry and husband John of Plattsmouth, NE, Leslie Ann Weaver and husband Craig of Overland Park, KS and Ben Johnston and wife Elena of West Des Moines, IA: nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; her brother Don Finley and wife Mary of Indiana and her sister Beverly Fuller and husband Dick of Kansas; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of life visitation with Betty’s family will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, at the Griswold Community Building in Griswold, IA. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Lakin Foundation Child Development Center of Griswold. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.
