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Elizabeth Pearl "Betty Mac" McDowell

Elizabeth Pearl "Betty Mac" McDowell obituary, Anamosa, IA

Elizabeth McDowell Obituary

Elizabeth Pearl McDowell, "Betty Mac" passed away January 21, 2025, at her home. Elizabeth was the middle child born to Harold and A. Bernice (Strickell) McDowell in Rhinebeck, New York on July 16, 1947. Betty graduated Anamosa High School, Anamosa, Iowa in 1965, graduated Hannibal â€" LaGrange College, Hannibal, Missouri, in 1967 earning a two-year degree, and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sioux Falls College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1969. Ms. Mac was a teacher for School District of Beloit, Wisconsin, teaching French, Language Arts and English from early 1970's mostly teaching at McNeel Intermediate School and then Aldrich Middle School before retiring in 2006. Many Wisconsin Baptist teens knew her as their "Betty Mac" camp counselor. Elizabeth loved to travel the world with friends and even to France with students. Elizabeth loved to travel the country with her mother, sister and sometimes with friends to places like the Alamo and Texas, Sea World, Niagara Falls, Mt. Rushmore, New York City and upstate New York, New Orleans, Oklahoma. Elizabeth love to read, writing, collecting greeting cards, shopping at and having garage sales, all with family and friends. Later in years Betty like to go to the casinos. Elizabeth is survived by her brother Edward McDowell, Beloit, Wisconsin; foster parents, Charles and Phillis Landon, Minnetonka, Minnesota; several nieces, nephews, extended family and lots of friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold & A. Bernice McDowell; and sister, Sharon Nielson. Service/Burial will be planned March 15 in Anamosa, Iowa.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Feb. 3, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
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3 Entries

Abigayle Rekowski

February 24, 2025

Celebration of Life- March 15 @ Anamosa Community Center - 10 am service

Amy Rae Vince

February 5, 2025

I'm so sad to see this. I was a student in her French class at Lincoln Jr. High in the early 80s for 3 years. I later studied French until my Senior year at Beloit Memorial. I have many fond memories of her. The 3rd year, we had a class trip to Canada and she was amazing. She baked cakes for us to sell in the lunchroom to raise money so we'd have something to spend. I think that was the year I realized how much she cared for her students. I did not know her history and thank you for writing this beautiful obituary for her. I did not know her foster parents were in Minnetonka. I used to live near there for 33 years. I now live on the gulf coast a few hours from New Orleans and still remember quite a lot of French. It has been a useful part of my career as a graphic designer who worked for companies that had locations in Quebec. I was able to understand what I was reading and designing thanks to her. Much love. XO

Chris Joslin Faust

February 3, 2025

Betty was my mother's cousin but closer in age to me. She was a dear soul like her mother....and a blessing to have her in our family.

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