Betty Lavonne Gumm, of Spirit Lake, went to heaven on Thursday, April 14, 2022, at her home in Brio of Johnston in Johnston, Iowa. A visitation followed by a Celebration of Her Life will be held at 1:00 on Thursday, April 21, at United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com.
Betty was born in Fort Dodge to Joseph and Margaret West and married to her loving husband Doc Gumm for 65 years at the time of his passing. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, best friend and brother Ray, fun-loving son Dan, daughter-in-law Georgia, and feisty granddaughter Brianne.
Betty and Doc lived in Fort Dodge for many years where they raised their four children. Betty worked at Penney’s as a Department Manager until she and Doc retired and moved to West Lake Okoboji. She loved Fort Myers Beach, Florida, as well, and they spent many of their winters near the beach. She loved the beach, boat rides, hanging with family and friends, and taught all her grandchildren to swim. She had endless energy and was known to push family members to accomplish at least one thing every day. She was strong-willed, but always leading her family in the right direction. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake.
Many family members were with her in her final hours, and all are left to cherish her memory, including son,Steve (Mary) of Pine, Colorado;son,Tom (Jodie) of Woodward, Iowa;and daughter,Deb Orness (Tim) of West Des Moines;grandchildren Jodie, Karie (Steve), Krista (Korny), Laura (Joe), Tim (Ute), Kevin (Megan), Corey (Jessica), Ashley (Kendall), Chad (Jill), Scott (Brandy), Dustin (Kendra), and Dillon (Chelsey);24 great-grandchildren, and niece,Kay Kofoed.