Graveside services for Betty Louise (Isley) Nelson of Grand Rapids, Michigan, formerly of Hartford, Iowa who passed away Saturday, April 6, 2024, will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 14, 2024 in the Palmyra Cemetery, Palmyra, Iowa.  Visitation will be held prior to services from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Sunday at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola.

Betty was born on March 18, 1936, the daughter of Arthur Charles and Edna Irene (Reynolds) Isley.  She graduated from Hartford High School where she played 5 years of basketball one  of which was when she was in eighth grade.  Following graduation, she attended Iowa Wesleyan College where she played one more year of basketball before turning her focus to her studies graduating in 1958.  Her first job teaching was in Hubbard, Iowa for one year then moved to Anamosa where she was given her first opportunity to help coach.  During the summer of 1960 she worked for Collins Radio in Anamosa.  She worked full time in 1963 - 1964 for Collins.  In 1964 she moved to Mediapolis as the Physical Education Teacher.  In 1965 she again moved and went to Burlington where she was one of two women head coaches at that time in the State of Iowa.

Betty stepped away from teaching in 1977 and moved to Michigan working for Electrolux and retiring from Meijer's.

Betty is survived by a niece and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her son, Randy James Nelson; parents, Arthur and Edna Isley; siblings, Howard Isley, Dwight Isley, Clifford Isley, Russell Isley, Alberta Fridley and Harold Isley and her close friend Norma Roth.

Memorials in memory of Betty, may be given to Kiya Koda Humane Society.