Betty Elsden
May 17, 1942 — October 1, 2025
Betty Elsden, 83, of Webster City died Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2025 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Foster Funeral and Cremation is entrusted with the services.
Betty Jane O’Connor, daughter of Marion and Elsie Mae (Zeihan) O’Connor, was born May 17, 1942 in Hamilton County. She attended country school, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic school and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1960. After college, she attended Webster City Junior College and then moved to California. While working at Prudential Insurance, she met the love of her life, Bill Elsden. The couple were married on August 17, 1963 in Los Angeles, California. In 1970, the couple moved back to Webster City to farm the family farm and raise their children. Betty was active in the farm operations and spent 27 years working at Farm Journal.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Bill of Webster City; children, Damon (Jenny) Elsden of Richardson, TX, Lori Foster of Webster City, Darin Elsden of Storm Lake; seven grandchildren, Brody (Sarah) Foster, Connor Foster, Savannah Elsden, Gabe Elsden, Haley Foster, Ariana Elsden, Carissa Elsden; brother, Larry (Maria Ferber) O’Connor of Lafayette, CA, sisters, Susan (Mike) Mangelsen of Estes Park, CO, Karen (Gary) Bettis of Webster City, Kathryn O’Connor-Eubanks of Cape Coral, FL, and Nancy Parker of Forsyth, MO, and several nieces and nephews.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Janet Springer.
She was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and attended St. Anthony Catholic Church in Cape Coral, FL. She belonged to the Independence Neighborhood Club, Farm Journal Ladies’ Group, and enjoyed the company of her coffee group.
Betty and Bill wintered in Cape Coral, FL. They enjoyed taking cruises, playing cards, and spending time with family, especially their grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Van Diest Medical Center Foundation.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Betty Elsden, please visit our flower store.