Betty Jane Holzhauser Breitwieser

Sigourney, IA.

JAN. 27, 1942 – JUNE 8, 2026

Betty Jane Holzhauser Breitwieser, 84, of Sigourney, died at 11:35 a.m. June 8, 2026 at Manor House Care Center in Sigourney.

She was born January 27, 1942 in Ottumwa to Lowell L. and Catherine L. Shank Holzhauser. She married Arnold “Jim” Breitwieser on August 12, 1972 and he preceded her in death on June 1, 2016.

Betty grew up in rural Hedrick and attended Hedrick School until Farson had bus service. She then continued her schooling at Farson and graduated in 1960.

Being in trouble and sitting behind many maps, she knew by graduation time she was going to travel the world and she did accomplish that twice around the world.

She attended A.I.B. in Des Moines and graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville. She taught geography and after her marriage to Jim in 1972, she began her teaching career in Mendon, IL It was her first and only school until retiring in 1998. Betty was a cheerleading coach and took many students on school trips to various countries.

Betty was involved in the Quincy, IL Historical Board while she and Jim lived there. Upon their retirement, they moved to Arizona where they lived until Jim’s passing.

Betty loved gardening, traveling, water and snow skiing in Colorado, creating stained glass and her dinner parties with all their special Quincy friends. She loved having her 2 nieces and a nephew along with their friends, come and stay with her and Jimmy during their summer vacations.

After Jim’s passing, her sister, Carol Ann Huffman, told her “You need to come back to Iowa with your family”. So Betty did that, living her last 10 years reuniting with Carol and family, making new friends. She became good friends at her condo and with her neighbors.

Betty is survived by her loving, caring, kind sister, Carol Ann; her nephews and nieces Rick Huffman (Nancy), Brenda (Dennis) Lovetinsky, Beverly (Jeff) Shipley, Terry, Tom, Kim, Susan and Steve Breitwieser; special friend, Lisa; her Breitwieser family; great-nieces, Kacie, Amanda, Shelby and Klint and families.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arnold and Evelyn Breitwieser; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, C.D. Huffman, Jon and Patricia Breitwieser; Rick’s late wife, Terri Huffman; and her favorite dog, Bailey.

As her wish, her body has been cremated. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be noon to 1 p.m. Friday, June 26th at Reece Funeral Home. Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Friday, June 26th at Reece Funeral Home. Inurnment will be in Deuser Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Essence of Life Hospice.