Betty M. Cross Obituary

Betty M. Cross, 88, of Russell, passed away on February 18, 2016. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends on Saturday from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Russell Historical Museum, Faith United Methodist Church in Russell, or Circle of Life Hospice/Legacy Lodge in Chariton.

Betty Marie Dixon, first child of Guy Walter Dixon and Lillie Audrey Ruble, was born November 30, 1927 in Des Moines, Iowa. They moved back to Lucas County where her sister, Jacqueline was born, then to Ottumwa, Iowa for several years and her brothers, Floyd Lee and Fred Ray, completed the family. In 1938 the Dixon’s returned to Russell where Betty attended Russell School, graduating from high school with the class of 1945.

On August 1, 1945 she was married to Carl Edward Cross. Carl was a seaman in the Navy, stationed in Seattle, Washington. A double wedding was held with his cousin Ray Stickler (also a Navy seaman) and Margaret Young of Mystic. The two couples remained close and celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversaries together in 1995.

Four children were born to Betty and Carl: Michael Douglas, Cathy Christine, William Patrick, and Timothy Gene. All the children completed their schooling in the Russell school system.

Betty was employed in a number of jobs over the years, including school bus driver, wallpaper hanger, waitress, and retail clerk. She also worked eleven years with the National Bank and Trust in Chariton. She retired from banking and took a driving course with Indian Hills Community College, receiving her certification to drive the semi-truck with Carl. They enjoyed ten years of travelling together from coast to coast and border to border.

Betty spent the first ten years of her “retirement” as a curator at the Lucas County Historical Museum. After “retiring” from the museum, Betty helped to establish the Russell Historical Museum.

Her joys were her family, gardening, quilting, reading, genealogy, and travel.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son, Patrick; husband, Carl; and granddaughter, Melanie Sue.

She is survived by her children: Mike (Kathleen) Cross of Oelwein, Cathy (Fay Ryan) Downard of Bella Vista, AR, and Tim (Sheila) Cross of St. James, MO; 7 grandchildren: Matthew, Jeff, Scott, Misty, Jason, Seth, and Abby; 19 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; and siblings: Jackie Andrews, Floyd Dixon, and Fred Dixon.