Betty Carol LEGGETT

Other Events and Attributes:

• Minnesota Birth Certificate: 1924-27242

Notes:

The family lived in Mason City, Iowa, between 1966 and 1980.

1980 American Mother of the Year.



Betty Carol Leggett Lieder formerly of Rochester, Minnesota, died on Friday, January 13th 2023 at her new residence in Iowa City. She was 98 years old. She had lost her spouse of 78 years and her soulmate 5 weeks earlier. She died of old age and a broken heart syndrome. Surrounded by family, she took her last breath 74 years to the day from when her oldest son was born.

Betty was born in Northfield, Minnesota on April 23, 1924 as the beloved daughter of Alvin and Clara Leggett. She grew up in Waseca, Minnesota and graduated with Salutatorian honors in 1942. She met her husband, Lyle while attending St. Olaf College in Northfield. They were married in 1944 and moved to Boston where they attended Boston University while serving two Methodist Churches in New Hampshire. In 1946, they worked as summer missionaries in Mexico. Betty received her BA in Philosophy and Sociology from Boston University in 1948. Betty and Lyle served United Methodist Churches in Iowa and traveled extensively at home and abroad.

In 1980, Betty was named the National Mother of the Year–a richly deserved honor. Though living in many different houses throughout her life, she made each house a warm and inviting home. She was an accomplished pianist and had a beautiful, soaring soprano voice.

A master of memorizing poetry, it was not uncommon for her to break out in verse in the midst of a conversation! She read voraciously and broadly, remaining interested and interesting throughout her long life. She was a study in strength, compassion, warmth, steadiness and good, old common sense.

She was an inspiration to all who knew her and she will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle W. Lieder, parents, Alvin and Clara Leggett, eldest son, Mark Abernathy Lieder and sons-in love, Stephen K Smith and D Bradley Kiesey. She is survived by daughters Rebecca Lieder Smith and Deborah Lieder Kiesey of Iowa City, son and daughter-in-love David and Janet Lieder of Stewartville, Minnesota, daughter and son-in-love Rachel Lieder Simeon and Mark Haines Simeon of Harstine Island, Washington, 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that any memorial donation be directed to Iowa City Hospice.

She will be interred with her husband at the Oakland cemetery in Iowa City.

Betty married Lyle William LIEDER on 13 Aug 1944 in Waseca County, Minnesota. Lyle (son of Harry LIEDER and Virginia ABERNATHY) was born on 22 Mar 1922 in Northfield, Rice County, Minnesota; died on 6 Dec 2022 in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota; was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Morningside College, class of 1971.

Dr. Mark A. Lieder, well known Estes Park, Colo. realtor and classic car enthusiast, died peacefully Monday, June 23, 2003 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 13, 1949 to Lyle and Betty (Leggett) Lieder in Boston, Mass.

He graduated high school in Spencer, Iowa; received a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa; and a Masters of Divinity, Doctorate of Ministry from the School of Theology in Claremont, Calif. He joined the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served United Methodist Churches in New Hartford, Fayette, Parkersburg, Woodward, and Iowa Falls, Iowa. He retired from professional ministry in 1995 and moved to Estes Park after having been a visitor for 30 years. He worked at Coldwell Banker Realty and was a founding member of the Estes Park Car Club. He was passionate about restoring vintage automobiles and collecting antiques. He loved hiking, rock climbing and enjoyed intellectual and physical challenges.

He is survived by his parents; his partner, Pam McCarthy and her daughter, Natalie Long, of Estes Park; a son, Chris Lieder, with the U.S. Air Force in Abilene, Texas; a daughter, Emily Lieder, of Minneapolis, Minn.; a brother, David Lieder, of Stewartville, Minn.; sisters, Becky Smith of Iowa City, Iowa, Deb Kiesey of Vinton, Iowa, Rachel Lieder-Simeon of Eagle River, Alaska; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held on Friday, June 27, at the Community Church of the Rockies in Estes Park with the Rev. Mark Evans officiating.

Memorials sent to the family will go directly to the Cerro Gordo County Trails Committee in Mark's name as Mark was a very avid outdoorsman and concerned about the environment.

Mark married Stephanie L LAWRENCE in May 1971 in Delaware. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mark married L.J. SCOTT [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]