Betty Jean Bowers, 74, of Clear Lake, died Tuesday, April 1, at Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa in Mason City, Iowa.
    Services were held Friday, April 4, at the Buffalo Center United Methodist Church with Pastor Richard Murray of Opportunity Village officiating. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center, Iowa.
    Betty Jean Bowers was born on Feb. 23, 1934 in Buffalo Center, to George and Mattie (Spencer) Bowers.  She had one sister, Shirley Orthel, of Clear Lake.
    Betty was born with special mental and physical needs and therefore helped shape each member of her loving family.  Betty, affectionately known as Tootie, lived with her parents until she was 40 years old. At that time Handicap Village, now know as Opportunity Village, was getting underway in Clear Lake and she settled in as a resident with what was to become a large second family.  There she resided until she moved in with Jesus on April 1, 2008.  She will live in her heavenly home for eternity.
    She will be sadly missed by her mom, Mattie; her sister, Shirley, and extended family: Jim and Diane Orthel of Ventura, and their children Jennifer of Austin, Texas and Josh of Iowa City, Iowa; Laurie and Dave Michael of Denton, Texas and their sons, Lt. Ben, serving in the U.S. Marine Corp., and Ltjg. Nate, serving in the United States Navy, and his wife Jenn of Virginia Beach, Va.; Deb and Dale Dykema of Grand Rapids, Mich. and their children, Caleb, Abby, Jesse, Lydia, and Moriah; Bob and Christy Orthel of Springfield, Mo. and children, Noah and Bailey of Charles City, Iowa; and all her good friends at Opportunity Village and at Evangelical Free Church in Clear Lake.
    Her father, George, preceded her in death in July of 1997.
    On line tributes or personal emails may be left at www.winterfuneralhome.com [1]. Winter Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Buffalo Center was in charge of arrangements.