Mass of Christian Burial for Betty Kerkhoff was held Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton, Iowa. Reverend Dale Reiff was Celebrant. Lector was Jeanne Kerkhoff, Mass Servers were Asa and Dayton Hoffman, Eucharistic Ministers were Rick Hoffman and Dan Hackfort, Gift Bearers were Betty's granddaughters - Gina Carroll, Beth Hackfort, Katie Squibb, and Kelli Beckendorf. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton, Iowa with Betty's grandsons, Nicholas Hoffman, Stephen Hoffman, Erick Kerkhoff, Alan Kerkhoff, Brad Hackfort, Matt Hackfort, Ben Hackfort, Todd Hackfort, Cody Gehling, Clint Gehling, Jarod Gruhn, and Lance Gruhn as casketbearers.

A visitation was held with a Rosary at 4:00 p.m. and Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning, Iowa.

Elizabeth L. "Betty," daughter of William and Elsie (Kettmann) Kalkhoff, was born January 22, 1934. The family lived on a farm west of Templeton and Betty graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Templeton. She worked for a time at Kaus Grocery Store in Templeton.

On September 8, 1956, Betty was united in marriage with Earl Kerkhoff at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton. Six children were born to this union and the family resided on a farm northwest of Templeton. Betty was a homemaker and busy farm wife. The couple semiretired and moved to Templeton in 1987. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2006.

Betty was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Templeton and was active in the Ladies Guild and Templeton Senior Citizens.

She enjoyed playing cards and chatting over coffee with friends. Above all, Betty loved family visits and spending time with her grandchildren.

After a battle with cancer, Betty died on Sunday, August 12, 2007, at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning, Iowa, at the age of 73 years, 6 months and 3 weeks.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter Mary Ann Kerkhoff.

She is survived by her husband Earl Kerkhoff of Templeton; six children: Marilyn and husband Rick Hoffman of Carroll; John Kerkhoff and wife Karen of Templeton; Janice and husband Dan Hackfort of Carroll; Rose Gehling of Templeton; Jeanne and husband Dwight Gruhn of Manning; and Julia Kerkhoff of West Des Moines; 16 grandchildren: Nicholas Hoffman; Stephen Hoffman; Eric and wife Jeanne Kerkhoff; Alan Kerkhoff; Gina and husband Jeremy Carroll; Brad Hack-fort, Matt Hackfort and wife Stephanie; Beth Hackfort; Ben Hackfort; Todd Hackfort; Katie and husband Brandon Squibb; Cody Gehling; Clint Gehling; Kelli and husband Trevor Beckendorf; Jarod Gruhn; and Lance Gruhn; five great-grandchildren; brother Edwin Kalkhoff and wife Cathy of Manning; sisters-in-law Phyllis Muhlbauer of Manilla and Evelyn Kerkhoff of Templeton; brother-in-law Ted Meiners of Carroll; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ohde Funeral Home in Manning, Iowa was in charge of arrangements.