Elizabeth "Betty" Mark

Born in Buffalo, NY
Born on Dec 20, 1944
Departed on Apr 11, 2019

Memorial

“Betty” Elizabeth Mark left town unexpectedly on April 11, 2019 from St. Luke’s Hospital, after a battle with congestive heart failure and kidney disease.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, April 15 from 4-7pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, April 16 at 11am in The Chapel of Memories at Cedar Memorial. Burial immediately following the service at Shiloh Cemetery in Hiawatha.  There will be a luncheon from 12-2pm at Epic Event Center, 2987 Epic Drive, Marion, IA 52302.

Betty was born in Buffalo, NY on December 20, 1944, the daughter of Charles and Peggy Harley. While in grade school, she was crowned “Candy Queen of Buffalo” for selling the most Girl Scout candy in the city. She was honored on stage at Buffalo Auditorium.

She later lived in Pittsburgh, PA and eventually moved to Mishawaka, IN where she graduated from Penn High in 1961. In 1963 she married the love of her life, "Charlie" Charles A. Mark and settled in Hiawatha in 1966, where they raised their sons Ken and Dan.

Betty worked at St. Luke’s Hospital in the Emergency Room until 1975 when she started working at Dr. Richard Louvar’s office.  She was blessed to work with some of her best friends until her retirement in 2008.

Through the years she had many hobbies including ceramics, camping, macramé, string art and gardening, to name just a few. She loved sitting on the deck watching the birds and flowers, reading books and visiting with friends, neighbors and family; both young and old. She also had a big heart for animals and was “mom” to several 4-legged critters through her life.

Betty was a dedicated mother, wife and friend. She treasured her children and loved the time she got to spend with them. She especially loved her role as Grandma (Gran) and followed the adage “Warning, grandchildren will be spoiled here!” She made friends easily and no matter where she went, she always saw someone she knew!

Betty will be remembered as a very generous, loving person and will be missed by those who had the fortune to know her.

She is survived by her sons; Ken (Susan) of Van Horne and Dan (Maureen) of Burlington, six grandchildren; Daniel Willman, Joey, Victor, Carly, Aaron and Emily Mark, stepdaughter; Judy Bella of Walkerton, IN, brothers; Bill (Jodi) Harley of Hopewell, NJ and Tom Harley of Hollidaysburg, PA, beloved nieces and nephews; Samantha, Chris, Jessie and Becca, daughter-of-the-heart; Carrie (Tracy) Hoover of Cedar Rapids, and dearest friend, Mary Parker. All who loved her dearly will never forget her wit, charm, generosity and undying love and caring for them.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Charlie, parents “Gray” Charles and “Peggy” Margaret Gibson Harley, brother C. Michael Harley, nephew Ryan Harley and many beloved pets.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Valley Human Society or the Hiawatha Fire Department in her name.

*A note the family found from Betty attached to important papers:
"Now honestly, aren’t you amazed I was actually this organized? Chances are I probably screwed something up along the way, but you’ve got to give me credit for trying to make this easy for you!"

*A quote Betty left the family in the important papers:
"His wife's graveside service was just barely finished, when there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightning, accompanied by even more thunder rumbling in the distance.
The little, old man looked at the pastor and calmly said, "Well, she's there."”