Elizabeth Carol Nearhoof of Jefferson

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Funeral services for Elizabeth Carol Nearhoof, 87, of Jefferson will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 1 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, with visitation beginning at 9:45 a.m. Following the service, a luncheon will be served at the church. Interment will take place at a later date in Pennsylvania.

Betty died June 21, 2022, at her home in Jefferson, Iowa.

Betty Nearhoof was born Elizabeth Carol Ostien on Oct. 17, 1934, in Pittsburgh to William John Ostien and Margaret Mehrenberg Ostien.

They moved their family of five girls to the country, and Betty worked as a gas station attendant and “soda jerk” during high school.

She graduated from Warriors Mark High School in Pennsylvania in 1952.

In September 1953 she was united in marriage to Ramon Berkstresser and settled in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The couple was blessed with four children, Robert, Debra, Betsy, and Mark.

The family lived in Florida briefly until 1964, when Ramon passed away.

Betty moved her family back to Pennsylvania, where she worked to support her children.

While working full time, Betty was still was very involved in all her children’s activities. She was a Cub Scout leader, active in the PTA, served as band parent president and taught Sunday School.

She later married Rodney Nearhoof and moved her family to Iowa in June 1975, where she continued to be involved in her children’s activities and hosted two Rotary International students.

Betty volunteered and served in leadership roles with the Jefferson Blood Drive, Hospital Auxiliary, Greene County Fair, Jefferson Garden Club and Meals on Wheels. She earned a Master Gardener certification and loved gardening.

Betty enjoyed playing cards, especially Canasta, and socializing with friends.

Betty’s faith was extremely important to her, and she remained active in the Jefferson First United Methodist Church, serving in the UMW, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, nursery care and wedding and funeral coordination.

She loved to travel all over the world, enjoying cruises from Alaska to the Amazon.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ramon Berkstresser and Rodney Nearhoof; granddaughter, Jennifer Mills Rodriguez; son-in-law, Jeffrey Mills; stepsons, Dennis Nearhoof and David Nearhoof; and three sisters, Doris Mytrysak, Ruth Jean Adams and Katherine Stover.

Betty is survived by her children, Robert (Shelley) Berkstresser of Shalimar, Florida, Debra Mills of Benton, Kentucky, Betsy (Martin) Draper of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Mark Berkstresser of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; 10 grandchildren, Jerry Nearhoof, Jim Nearhoof, Andy Nearhoof, Brandon Mills, Robert Berkstresser, Carolyn Gilbertson, Leah Mergen, Alannah Berkstresser, Reed Berkstresser and Alec Berkstresser; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister, Nancy Norris of Pennsylvania.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church Webb House. Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson is in charge of arrangements.

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