Irma Elizabeth (Betty) Eis, 93, passed away peacefully on August 6th, 2022 at Wesley Acres, Des Moines, IA. Betty was born on April 22, 1929 on the family farm in Lincoln County, Sioux Falls, SD. She was the daughter of Howard Huston and Irma Charlotte (Jacobson) Bement. She graduated from Harrisburg Consolidated School District. She was active in drama, speech, band, chorus, school newspaper (co-editor) and 4-H. While in high school she also played the piano, organ, and taught Bible School.
She graduated from Yankton College in 1950. She took classes at Garrett Biblical Institute and Northwestern University receiving her Master’s Degree in 1953.
June 10, 1951 she married Richard Lee (Dick) Eis in Sioux Falls, SD. Betty served with Dick as he was appointed to churches in Bonaparte-Bentonsport, New Virginia-Medora-Liberty-Medford-Pleasant Hill, Milton-Cantril-Mt Sterling, Letts-Cranston, Radcliffe-Ellsworth-Evergreen, Osceola, Emmetsburg, and Maquoketa. In 1964, Dick and Betty purchased a small acreage north of Bonaparte, where they spent many family vacations before moving there permanently in 1990.
Betty was a wife, mother, homemaker, and volunteer. She enjoyed music, reading, bird watching, rocks, puzzles, genealogy, and spending time with family. Betty loved learning the history of every person she ever met. For many years she taught piano to students of all ages. Throughout her life she was an active volunteer not just at local churches but also at the District and Conference levels. She was also involved in many community projects, receiving the Bonaparte Main Street volunteer of the year award, presented to her by the governor of Iowa.
She is survived by her children: Keith (Nancy) Eis, Beth (Ben) Campney, Karen Eis and Carol Eis all of Des Moines and Ann (Steve) Mallams of Mt. Union, seven grandchildren: Erica Eis, Austin(Dana) Eis, Carla (Eric) Olson, Daniel Sherman, Julie (Mitch) Brown, Jessica (Seth) Streeter and Jacob Mallams, eight great-grandchildren, her brother Fred Bement of Silverthorne, CO, two sisters-in-law: Alice Parks of Mt. Pleasant and Beverly Sage of Waterloo, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her sister Edna Strobel.
Visitation will be Friday, September 9th from 4:00 to 7:00 at Iles Dunn’s Funeral Home, Des Moines, IA. The memorial service will be Saturday September 10th at 2:00 at the Bonaparte United Church. Per her wishes, her body was donated to Des Moines University so the committal will be at a later date at Parr Cemetery, near Muscatine, IA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bidwell Riverside Center, Bonaparte Food Pantry or the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Acres.