Betty Jean Salz

Betty Jean Salz, 87, of Mason City, IA, died Monday, February 27, 2017, at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Funeral services will be held 10:30 AM on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, with Rev. Steve Hansen officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, March 6, 2017, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Betty Jean Salz memorial fund in care of the family.

Betty was born September 26, 1929, in Plymouth, IA, the daughter of Leonard and Mary (Kouba) Vikturek. She graduated from Manly consolidated schools in 1947, before continuing her education at La James Beauty School. Betty married Arthur H. Salz on June 24, 1951, in Manly, IA. The couple later divorced. Betty owned and operated Betty Jean’s Beauty Shop in Manly before becoming employed with Sam Raizes Department Store (Mason City), J.C. Penney and later Sperry UNIVAC. She retired in 1986. Betty enjoyed spending time with her family. She devoted her life to her husband, children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed collecting poems, volunteering for KCMR & the Senior Center, being a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader and Den Mother. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Betty is survived by 2 children: Debra Bernhardsen and husband Ben of Rochester, MN, and Theodore Salz Sr. and wife Lori of Garner, IA; 3 grandchildren: Bjorn Bernhardsen of Rochester, Theodore Salz Jr. and wife Stepheni of Garner, IA and Samantha Salz of Garner, IA; 2 great-grandchildren: Sophie and Liam Salz of Garner, IA; 1 brother: Garman Vikturek and wife Frances of Fort Madison, IA; and 1 sister: Dolores Buttjer of Hampton, IA as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her ex-husband: Arthur; sister: Gwendolyn Vikturek (18 months); and 2 brothers and their wives: Fordyce Vikturek: wife Crystal and Everett Vikturek: wife Shirley.