Betsy Axmear

Betsy Axmear

1939-2021

Betsy (Elizabeth Ann) Axmear was a pillar of the What Cheer and Sigourney communities for 82 years.  She died at home on Sept. 4, 2021 on the farm she and her husband, David, loved.  

Visitation was held from 4 -7 on Friday, Sept. 10at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer.  Funeral services began at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer.  A private family burial will take place in the Highland Cemetery in What Cheer at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the What Cheer Opera House.

Betsy was the daughter of John and Dorothy George Baylor.  She was born on Jan.12, 1939 in Ottumwa.  She graduated from What Cheer High School in 1956 and married her first husband, Martin Daniel Wood, Jr. later that same year.  To this union came four sons: Dan, Doug, Dave, and Daryl (Deke).  On Dec. 2, 1967, Betsy was united in marriage to David Maurice Axmear at the United Methodist Church in What Cheer.  To this union came a son, Daryn, and a daughter, Darci.  

Betsy worked at First State Bank of What Cheer for many years and finished her working career as dispatcher for the Keokuk County Sheriff's Office.  

Betsy left a rich legacy in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Those left to mourn her loss and remember her life lessons include her loving husband of 53 years, David Axmear, who cared for her until the end of her life; her devoted sons and daughter: Doug (Chris) Wood, Dave (Pam) Wood, Deke (Susie) Wood, and Darci (Maria) Axmear; her daughter-in-law, Sheryl Wood; her grandchildren: Stephanie Wood (Chris Polley), Michelle Wood and John Wood Jr., Josh (Kacie) Wood, Matt (Cheryl) Wood, Caleb Wood, Jordan (Shannon) Wood, Maddison Wood (Allan Denny), Nathan (Sarah) Wood, and Amanda (Steven) Seeley; her great grandchildren: Katie, Henry, Collyns, Colsyn, Campbell, Riley, Gabe, Stratton, Brayden, Masen, Ainslee, Brody, Drake,and Trey; and her sister JoAnn (Larry) Bair.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Martin Wood; her two sons, John Daniel (Dan) Wood Sr. and Daryn Drew Axmear; and two sisters, Jane Baylor and Patricia Baylor.  

Betsy was an avid crafter spending many hours crocheting stocking hats and making quilts for family and friends.  She lived by the credo: She who dies with the most crafting supplies, wins!  Based on the amount of yarn and material we have found so far, Betsy is definitely in the running for Grand Champion of Crafting!  

She loved to read mysteries and spy thrillers and her favorite authors included Clive Cussler, Vince Flynn, and David Baldacci.  The Sigourney Public Library knew Betsy so well that they frequently called when a new book came in that they thought she might like, placing it on hold so she could read it first.

Betsy was a local historian who regaled anyone who would listen to stories about her friends and family.  When meeting new people, she could always find a connection to someone that they knew in common and could typically tell stories about that person’s family that went back several generations.  

Whether you knew her as Mom, Grandma Betsy, Aunt Betsy, Aunt Bets, or Sister Bets she lived a life surrounded by the things she loved: her family farm, her community, and most importantly her family.