Betty L. Dexter, of Dexter Acres, Eldridge, is going to be 85 on Saturday, May 2. She was born and has lived her entire life in rural Scott County. Her parents were Lavinius and Elsie Kuehl and she was married to the late Jim Dexter in 1954. He died in 1991.
Betty graduated from Davenport High School in 1953 and worked at S/M Farm Service as a bookkeeper for several years until she became a part-time farmer and full-time mother to their three adopted children. Her son, Brad, died in 2000. Doug and his family live in the Eldridge area, and Sara lives in Charlottesville, Va. Betty has six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She served for 10 years on the Davenport School Board, and 10 years on the State Board of Education, the Plus 60 Board for six years, the Scott County Library Foundation board, Military Warriors Support Foundation, and Republican Party, and was active in PTA, 4-H, Pork Producers, the Mississippi Valley Fair Foundation, and St. Paul Lutheran Preschool, and is a member of that church.
Betty loves her art collection, traveling, and ballroom dancing.
Her friends and family are planning a celebration sometime when possible. She will be at home on her actual birthday.