Betty Jean Hotchkin

Betty Jean (Zimmerman) Hotchkin was born to Merville F. and Violet E. (Fausch) Zimmerman on January 8, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa. The family made their home in Alleman, Iowa. She attended school in Allman and graduated from Alleman High School in May 1945.

Betty’s father was Postmaster and managed the Alleman Co-op Grocery, but also had a great interest in hardware. In June 1945, the family moved to Grinnell, Iowa to open Coast to Coast store. Betty worked in the store, along with her father, mother and younger brother, Roger and she became quite knowledgeable about the hardware business.

About that time, Betty became acquainted with a young man, Stanley Hotchkin, as both were members of the Congregational Church. It has also been reported by Betty that Stan seemed to be in need of a lot of hardware, and visited her workplace quite often. They were married on July 8, 1956, in Grinnell.

In October 1957, they moved to Newton, and Betty began her employment at the Coast to Coast store on the downtown square on November 1, 1957. She retired in 1992, having served 35 years as bookkeeper. After retirement, Betty and Stan moved to Park Centre, and were among the first residents in the new facility. Stan died on October 19, 2004.

Betty was a member of the United Congregational Church of Christ where she sang in the choir and served on many committees. She was also a member of TTT Chapter EN, Skiff Medical Center Auxiliary, and the Newton Golden “K’ Kiwanis. She enjoyed cooking, reading, traveling and visiting with family and friends.

Betty died on Friday, November 1, 2024 under the care of Wesley Life Hospice at Park Centre.

Survivors include a sister-in-law, Mary Jane “MJ” of Grinnell, Iowa; nieces, Jane Ann (Allen) Gifford of Columbus, Indiana, and Mary Beth Zimmerman of Pella, Iowa; a great niece, Grace (Gifford) Frahm and great nephew, Graham Gifford and their families; and special friends, Carolyn Hobbs and Judy Richmond.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents’ her husband, Stan Hotchkin; and her brother, Roger Zimmerman.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the United Congregational Church of Christ in Newton, Iowa, with a coffee and visitation with the family following the service. A private inurnment will take place at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell, Iowa. Memorials may be designated to the Congregational United Church of Christ and may be left at the church or at Pence Reese Funeral Home.