Betty Athens, 90, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024, at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Reverend Chris Meier from St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars.  Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will resume from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Betty Jean Klemme, the daughter of Emery and Freda (Schmidt) Klemme, was born on March 3, 1934, on the family farm in Preston Township, rural Plymouth County, Iowa. She grew up in Preston Township and attended country school at Preston #8. She attended high school in Akron and graduated from Akron High School in 1952. Following high school, she attended Westmar College in Le Mars, where she earned her teaching certificate.

Betty's first teaching job was 2nd grade in Spirit Lake, Iowa. While residing there, Betty met Roger Athens on a weekend trip to Le Mars, at a gas station. He took one look at her and her beautiful smile, got into a friend's car and the rest was history!

They were united in marriage on October 30, 1955, in Le Mars, Iowa. Early on, they made their home in Topeka, Kansas, while Roger was serving in the Air Force. While living in Topeka, Betty taught school. After his discharge, they returned to Le Mars where she taught at Franklin Elementary School. In 1961, she became a homemaker for her family and helped her husband with his real estate business.

Over the years, Betty enjoyed sewing and tending to her flower gardens. Loved dogs, especially her Dachshund. She also enjoyed spending time at Lake Okoboji. Her family was her greatest joy, especially her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Roger of Le Mars; her daughters: Lisa Wells of Okoboji, IA, Shelly (Scott) Ragan of Omaha, NE, and Steph (Jim) Oswald of Remsen, IA; her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Jacqui (Jared) Penne and their children, Jerzie, Jovi, and Jagger, Kenzie Bray, Jack Oswald, Nick (Kara) Ragan, Mitch Ragan, Carley (Max) Carlson, Drake Oswald, and Jade Oswald; her brother, Daryl Klemme of Akron, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emery and Freda Klemme; a daughter in infancy, Lauri Athens; her brothers: Marvin (Mildred) Klemme, Dale (Arlene) Klemme, and Kenneth (Betty Jo) Klemme; her sister: Verla Mae (Jake) Jacobs; her sister-in-law, Louise Klemme; and a half sister: Mildred Laudenschlager.