Obituary of Betty Lou Allfree

Betty Lou Allfree, the daughter of John and Ira (Quinn) Strovers, was born October 17, 1925 in She graduated from the Newton Senior high School with the Class of 1945. On December 31, 1949, Betty was united in marriage with Jack Allfree in Des Moines, Iowa. Betty had worked for a time for Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. She then went on to become a school bus driver for the Newton Community School District. After her retirement, she became the activities director for the Jasper County Care Facility. Betty enjoyed playing the piano, singing, quilting, ceramics, knitting and crocheting. Betty was a member of the Pleasant View United Methodist Church, where she played the piano for many years. Betty died on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Windsor Manor in Grinnell, Iowa. She was 97 years old. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack on June 30, 2006; her two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law. Those left to honor Betty's memory include her sons and daughter-in-law, John Allfree of Newton, Iowa and Mike (Connie) Allfree of Decauter, Texas, and Kenneth (Cathy) Allfree of Independence, Missouri; her daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy Van Camp of Mimbers, New Mexico, Evelyn Allfree (Mark Stewart) of Grundy Center, Iowa, and Lisa Symbol of Newton, Iowa; her grandchildren, Helen Shearer, Adam Allfree, Donald K. Allfree, Jr., Tammy L. Macias, Jessica Fox, Justin Fox, Jeffrey Fox, Ashley Nicole Lobato, Austin Pierson, and David Shane Braverman; her great grandchildren, Hannah Allfree, Allison Shearer, Nate Shearer, Jake Shearer, Stephanie Allfree, Abel Lobato, Aiden Lobato, Jack James Fox, Lilly Allfree and Lexi Allfree. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the Pence Reese Funeral Home in Newton. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 17, 2023, at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated to Pleasant View United Methodist Church and may be left at the funeral home.