Elizabeth Barrett

Elizabeth “Betty” Barrett, 82, of Phoenix, Ariz., formerly of West Union, died Monday, April 23, 2018, in Phoenix.

A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, April 28, at La Siena Senior Living Residence in Phoenix, Ariz.

Inurnment will be held at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa.

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Erkonen was born May 24, 1936, to Edward and Jane Anne Erkonen in Yankton, S.D.

She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1954.

On Aug. 26, 1956, Betty was united in marriage with William Gene Barrett in Sioux City. They became the parents of two daughters, Susan and Cindy.

The couple made their home in West Union from 1964 until 1991. 

Betty was active in the women’s groups and served as a Stephens minister at Bethel Presbyterian Church. She was also honored as West Union’s Volunteer of the Year in Religion in the 1980s.

Betty attended nursing school at Area One Vo-Tech (Northeast Iowa Community College) in Calmar in 1980-82. She was forced to give up her dream of becoming a nurse after being severely injured in a car accident.

After their retirement in 1991, Bill and Betty divided their time between Tucson, Ariz., and Lake Okoboji in Iowa.

Betty enjoyed traveling the U.S. with Bill and in Europe with daughter Sue.

In her later years, she enjoyed singing with the Happy Hipsters at La Siena, playing bingo, and attending theater productions.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Barrett of Phoenix, Ariz., and Cindy (Jon) Barrett Brewer of Sioux City; a sister, Bertha Erkonen of Phoenix, Ariz.; sisters-in-law Barb Dennis of Albuquerque, N.M., and Mary Erkonen of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents; Bill, her husband of 47 years; and her brothers, William Erkonen and Robert Erkonen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts in Betty’s honor go to the Okoboji (Iowa) Summer Theater or the Sioux City Park and Recreation Foundation. Memorials may be sent in care of the family to: Cindy Barrett Brewer, 4723 Cambridge Ct., Sioux City, IA 51106.