Betty L. (Hovland) Orpen

Betty Louise (Hovland) Orpen, 86, of Mason City, IA died Sunday, September 28, 2014, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 4, 2014, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 2502 South Jefferson Avenue, with Rev. Jim Magelssen officiating. Inurnment will be at the Elk Creek Cemetery in Kensett, IA. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Friday, October 3, 2014, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. Memorials may be directed to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd St SE, Mason City, IA 50401. Betty was born June 21, 1928, in Owatonna, MN, the daughter of Harold and Edith (Broin) Hale. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1946. In 1951, she moved to Mason City. Betty married R.E. “Babe” Hovland on March 22, 1951, and to this union two children were born: Thomas and LuAnne. She later married Glenn Orpen on June 5, 1981. From 1965 - 1982 Betty worked in the Accounting Department for Lumber Services and in 1983 she did office work for the Cerro Gordo County Extension Office until her retirement in 1991. Betty enjoyed baking cookies. Her array of Christmas goodies were always welcomed if you were lucky to receive them as a gift. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting and handwork. Betty was a very skilled seamstress and had many clients in the Mason City area. She sewed many costumes for dance recitals, clothing alterations and curtains. Her clients were fast friends of Betty's from her loving personality. She was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and a life member of the VFW Auxiliary. Betty is survived by 2 children: Thomas Hovland and wife Barbara of Mason City and LuAnne Meehan and husband John of Winnetka, CA; 1 brother: Glenn Hale and wife Dorothy of Owatonna, MN; 4 grandchildren: Sarah Meehan, Roberta Hovland, Jerry Hovland and Tony Hovland; 2 step-grandchildren: Michael Clough and Melissa Clough; and her companion: Lyle F. Wallace of Mason City. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands; 1 sister: Ruth Miller; and an infant brother.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be at the Elk Creek Cemetery in Kensett, IA.

Memorials may be directed to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa