Elizabeth Loftsgard
Elizabeth Loftsgard
Elizabeth Loftsgard
April 5, 1928 – November 25, 2023
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 95
Elizabeth “Betty” Lavina Schultz Loftsgard, 95, of Oskaloosa, died Saturday, November 25, 2023, at the Northern Mahaska Specialty Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born April 5, 1928, at her grandmother’s home in Castalia, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer Louis and Esther Hildred Allen Schultz. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa.
She graduated from Postville Public School in Postville where she was recognized as an honor student and a National Honor Vocalist. She continued her education studying music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and at Drake University.
On February 5, 1947, she was united in marriage to Arthur Eugene Loftsgard at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa.
Betty was the music instructor and Entertainment Director and teacher for many years at the Iowa Women’s Reformatory in Rockwell City, Iowa. In addition to her role at the reformatory she was an associate in the learning disabilities and special education department at North Kossuth Schools. Betty loved to share her passion for music and enjoyed the many years she taught piano and voice lessons. Last she was employed by Clow Corporation as an Inside Sales Representative.
She was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa where she was a part of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Young at Heart, and served as the choir director for many years. In addition to her involvement at the church, she was a member of various music organizations throughout the years including the St. Olaf Chorus, Newton Heritage Singers, Newton In-Persons and directed and sang in the Kossuth Country Song Spinners. Betty also was a part of the Oskaloosa Women’s Club, O.D.O. Club and Mahaska Hospice.
She is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Carla Beth and Randy Malloy of Oskaloosa and Paula Jean and David Lureman of Mitchellville; five grandchildren, Mica (Daryl) Cavin, Cami Grubb (fiancé Barry Allgood), Reanna (Jeremy) Sheets, Gretchen (Jeremy) Harris, and Brett Lureman (Jenny Peterson); fifteen grandchildren, Reagan (Anakin) Brown, Braxton Malloy, Treyton Cavin, Ian Cavin, Dylan (fiancée Causia Rynearson) Grubb, Parker Grubb (fiancée Narissa Zamora), Sierra Sheets, James Sheets, Athena Sheets, Joel Sheets, Grant Harris, Shawn Harris, Sirus Lureman, Jaxson Lureman, and Hayley Lureman; two great great grandchildren, Sebastian Grubb and Zayne Zamora-Grubb; two sisters in law, Becky (Ed) Dunk and Chris Grundman; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Loftsgard on December 23, 1994; in addition to Arthur, she was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Donald Schultz; a sister, Jean Friederich; and a dearly loved great granddaughter, Morgan Malloy.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. in the St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Sam Beltz officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation with the family present will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in the St. John Lutheran Church and will continue until service time at 1:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or Oskaloosa Public Library.
Betty has been a resident of Northern Mahaska Specialty Care Center in Oskaloosa for nearly three years. She felt the love and care that the staff showed her daily. Her family wishes to thank the staff and residents for the care she received.
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