Betty Lu Rullestad was born December 22, 1927 near Fonda, Iowa. She was the third child, first daughter, born to Melvin & Fern (Thompson) Abbott. Betty grew up in Ames, Iowa and she graduated from Ames High School. She furthered her education at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
On August 11, 1947, Betty was united in marriage to Gene Rullestad in Ames, Iowa. Betty & Gene became parents of five children: Cindy, Sue, Chris, Betsy and Andy. Betty was a loving mom and wife and she enjoyed caring for her home.
Because of Gene's work, they lived several places including Omaha, NE, Charter Oak, IA and Estherville, IA. Betty and Gene continued to live in Estherville for 30 years. Summers were spent at their cabin they shared with her sister and family on East Lake Okoboji. She loved to fish and read. Betty expressed her artistic side through drawing and painting. Betty loved getting together with her siblings and playing cards games. Gene passed away in 1997 and Betty moved to Mount Ayr in 2001 where she spent the remainder of her life. She eventually made Maple Ridge Assisted Living her home and transitioned into the Mount Ayr Health Care Center.
Betty passed away at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center on March 16, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and six siblings: Jim Abbott, Bob Abbott, Alan Abbott, Bev Birdseye, Barb Johnson, and Joyce Berhow.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children Cindy Tintner of Minneapolis, MN, Sue (Bob) Mally of Moline, IL, Chris (Kathy) Rullestad of Fairmont, MN, Betsy (Mark) Budach of Mount Ayr, IA, and Andy (Katie Davidson) Rullestad of Creston, IA; eight grandchildren Heidi (Todd) Hafermann, Megan (Jon) Pearlman, Emily Mally, Nick Rullestad, Joe Rullestad, Erin (Daniel) Leonard, Molly (Trevor) Kayser, and Vienna Rullestad; eleven great grandchildren Calvin, Costis, Cash, Jules, Oscar, Ben, Evan, Ty, Lane, Parker, and Hayes; two siblings Janet (Joe) Busch of Columbus, OH and Chuck Abbott of Ames, IA; sisters-in-law Lois Wilkowske of Atlanta, GA and Mary Kay Abbott of Ames, IA; brothers-in-law Ted Birdseye of Boone, IA and Vic Johnson of Ames, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Betty was cremated and services will be held at a later date. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.armstrongfh.com.
