In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial donations be directed to the Swea City Fire Department and Ambulance Service.


Betty M. (Batton) Draper, the daughter of John H. and Dena (Roelfsema) Batton, was born February 10, 1929, on a farm near Algona, Iowa. She passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, Iowa, at the age of 87 years.

As a child Betty moved to the Swea City, Iowa, area with her family and graduated from Swea City High School in 1946.

On January 17, 1953, Betty was united in marriage to Wayne Draper. The couple made their home in Swea City where they began raising their family and Betty also had a home sewing business for 57 years. She was also employed as a telegraph operator in the 1950's and was also employed as a proofreader at the Armstrong Journal for 13 years. Wayne passed away July 2, 1972. Betty continued to make her home in Swea City. In her leisure time Betty enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, word searches, sewing and she was an avid Iowa Hawkeye's fan.

Betty was a member of First United Methodist Church in Swea City and also a past member of the Swea City American Legion Auxiliary.

Left to cherish Betty's memory are her children, Randy Draper and his wife, Sheila of Swea City; Dena Davis and her husband, Jay of Port Charlotte, Florida; eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She has been preceded in death by her husband; daughters, Marcia Harms and Nancy Draper; her parents and a young sister.