Bette Jean Turnipseed, age 87, of Washington, Iowa, died Sunday, April 6, 2014, at the United Presbyterian Home following a decline in health.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 10, 2014, at the United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Calling hours will begin noon Wednesday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for the United Methodist Church, the United Presbyterian Home or Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Bette's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Bette was born on January 10, 1927 in Sigourney, Iowa, the daughter of Paul and Maude (Baker) Snakenberg. They moved to Washington when Bette was seven and she has resided in Washington the rest of her life. She graduated from Washington High School and attended the University of Iowa. Bette was united in marriage to Merle E. Turnipseed on September 1, 1946, in Washington, Iowa.

Bette and Merle were always highly supportive of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They loved music and instilled an appreciation for music and theater by attending many plays and musicals. Doing a daily crossword puzzle kept her mind in good shape.

She was a homemaker and was employed for fifteen years in the office of Washington Manufacturing. She was an eighty year member of the Washington United Methodist Church and also a member of the United Methodist Women, Daughters of the American Revolution where she was Past Regent, Daughters of the American Colonists, Chapter J PEO, Chapter DL, TTT where she was Past President, Fortnightly Club, and was past worthy matron of Eastern Star. Bette was in several bridge clubs which she played in for many years right up to one month before she died. She enjoyed needle work and so did her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who reaped the benefits in hand made Christmas stockings for each.

Bette is survived by son, Jon Turnipseed and wife Mary Jo of Boise, Idaho; daughter, Kaye Eckhardt of North Liberty, Iowa; daughter, Connie Turnipseed of Kansas City, Missouri; grandsons, Eric Turnipseed and wife Cindy, Jay Turnipseed and wife Stephanie and families of California; Shawn Coons and wife Carrie and family of Indianapolis, Indiana; Andrew Eckhardt and wife Lisa of Tiffin, Iowa; granddaughter, Averi Jackson and husband Jonathan and family of Boise, Idaho; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Merle in 2007.