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Grace Elizabeth “Bette” Burnett, 86, Tipton
Obituaries · March 26, 2015



Grace Elizabeth “Bette” Burnett, 86, of Tipton, Iowa, passed away Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Cedar Manor Nursing Home in Tipton.

Funeral services were Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton. Visitation was just prior to the funeral. Ron Lashmit officiated. A luncheon was held following the funeral. Graveside services were held at Lisbon Cemetery, with Bette being laid to rest by her husband, Richard Burnett. A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Bette, daughter of Forrest Tenley and Nora Stubbs Tenley, was born April 6, 1928, at home on the family farm east of Stanwood. She was baptized and joined the Methodist Church in Stanwood on April 7, 1946. She graduated from Stanwood High School in 1945. After school, she worked at various businesses in Tipton, the last one for Dr. Pfeifle and Dr. Straumanis, as a dental assistant.

In 1949, she married Elwood “Shorty” Steffen and they had two daughters, Debra J. (George) Moffit and Dawn R. (Steve) Rowold. She was later divorced and in 1979 married Richard W. Burnett of Iowa City. She moved back to Tipton in 2008.

Bette was a member of T.O.P.S. and Women of the Moose. She enjoyed her coffee club in West Branch for many years. She liked fishing, but her greatest joy came in spring when she was able to hunt for morel mushrooms.

Survivors include her two daughters, Debra J. (George) Moffit of Stanwood, and Dawn R. (Steve) Rowold of Tipton; two grandsons, T.J. (Connie Warren) Moffit and Matthew Rowold of Tipton; one step-son, Jim (Celine) Burnett of Beaver Creek, Ohio; one stepdaughter; two step-grand-daughters; six stepgrandsons; and her very special friend, LaVern L. Cook of Lisbon, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; two brothers, William and Robert Tenley; and one sister, Evelyn Moneypenny.