In Loving Memory LaRae Heller 1934- 2006

Celebration of Life LaRae Heller
Funeral Service Saturday, March 4, 2006, 11:00 AM
United Methodist Church Manning, Iowa
Officiating Reverend Larry McAlpine
United Methodist Church Laurens, Iowa
Memories by Rachel and Angie
Music Recordings by Elvis Presley "How Great Thou Art" "He Touched Me" "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"
Prelude and Postlude, Janet Myer, Organist
Interment Manning Cemetery Manning, Iowa
Casket Bearers ~ Grandchildren Justin Bryant, James Short, Rachel Bradley, Angie Trowbridge, Lindsey Schaben, Samantha Guerra
Honorary Casket Bearers ~ Grandchildren Jennifer Bruening, Joshua Siemer, Darrin Richard Heller, Elijah Betterton, Hunter Guerra, Isaiah Betterton, Seth Heller, Zach Heller, Heather Bryant, Amber Schaben, Joe Gross

THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT WORD, AND DEED, AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE DRIVERS IN A FUNERAL PROCESSION MUST TURN ON HEADLIGHTS, DRIVE IN CLOSE FORMATION AND BE ALERT.
Arrangements by Ohde Funeral Home


LaRae, the youngest child of Earl and Mabel (Crouch) Weems, was born June 1, 1934, on a farm near Botna in Jefferson Township, Shelby County, Iowa. She attended country school at Jefferson Township No.6 and No.7 through the first semester of eighth grade when her family moved into Manning due to her father's failing health. In 1946 she completed eighth grade in Manning and went on to graduate from Manning High School in 1951. After completing her schooling, she worked at Priebe & Sons Produce in Manning for two years. In 1953, LaRae left Manning and married Warren Farrell, a marriage that was later dissolved. She worked several places before her marriage to Warren Sniff at Carroll. They divorced in 1964 and later that year she and Charles Betterton were united in marriage. They moved many times wherever his truck driving jobs would take them. In 1968, LaRae and the children moved back to Manning. She worked at Saunder's Steak House and later for Sally's Furniture in Denison. She and the children moved to Denison in 1970. In November of 1970, LaRae was united in marriage with Richard Heller. They lived in and around Denison for ten years where LaRae held various jobs. In 1983 they moved to Sac City so Dick could go fishing. He died in 1983 of congestive heart failure. In June of 1984 LaRae and her three boys moved back to Manning so she could be closer to her mother and family. She worked various places in Manning including the Manning Senior Center where she was a cook and then the Site Manager. LaRae enjoyed her volunteer work at the Senior Center and was secretary-treasurer of Manning Community Services for 6 years. LaRae's many volunteer hours at the Senior Center earned her the Governor's Volunteer Award in 1997. LaRae was a member of the United Methodist Church where she served 13 years as secretary. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and was active on other committees as well. She was also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary where she was elected president several times. In 1998 LaRae suffered a massive heart attack and her health was quite fragile since that time. She died on Tuesday, February 28, 2006, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 71 years, 8 months and 27 days of age. Preceding LaRae in death are her parents; husband Richard Heller; three grandchildren Jeremy Short, Cody Heller, and Joshua Heller; sister Evelyn and husband Jack Borkowski; brother Bud Weems and wife Norma; and brothers-in-law George Wegner and Dale Christensen. She is survived by 9 children: Kaelyn and husband Ralph Guerra of Carroll; Darwin Betterton and wife Sue of Nampa, ID; Paula Brinegar of Centerville; Gayla and husband Declan Gross of Earling; Sheila and husband Mike Smith of Ft. Dodge; Shawn Bryant and fiancée Roy Wells of Sioux Falls, SD; Darcy Betterton and friend Dana Vonnahme of Pekin, IL; Darrin Heller of Council Bluffs; and Jason Heller and friend Jolene Halligan of Ft. Dodge; 2 step-sons Mike Heller of Council Bluffs and Kurt Heller of Colorado Springs, CO; 17 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters: Opal Christensen of Humboldt; Leona and husband Lewis Hemminger of Elk Horn; and Lois Wegner of Manning; other relatives and friends.


As time was of the abundance — I spent many hours reading the Bible and the United Methodist Hymnal, as well as, listening to 2 hours of Gospel Music on Sunday mornings. The following beautiful hymns came to mind as I thought back over my life.

Life on earth is like A MOUNTAIN RAILWAY, with an engineer that is brave; we must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave.

I lived just ONE DAY AT A TIME and WALKED ON, WALKED ON, with hope in my heart, but I never walked alone.

I walked IN THE GARDEN while the dew was still on the roses. He walked with me and talked with me along life's narrow ways. As life went on, I thought HOW GREAT THOU ART LORD — TAKE MY HAND PRECIOUS LORD, lead me on.

Somewhere BEYOND THE SUNSET, Jesus was calling me SOFTLY AND TENDERLY. I came upon a large rock along the pathway, I thought ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME, let me hide myself in thee, but Jesus said, we must trudge on, but soon there will be PEACE IN THE VALLEY FOR YOU.

On a hill far away stood the OLD RUGGED CROSS, the harps were strumming softly the familiar melody.

Then HE TOUCHED ME and made me whole as the STRIFE OF LIFE WAS 'ORE, and they began ringing THOSE GOLDEN BELLS.

The gates of heaven opened wide, the choir was singing AMAZING GRACE as I entered the Kingdom of Heaven, I knew I was home at last, SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS — WITH ALL THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE ME. WHAT A GLORIOUS REUNION!!!

To those I leave here on earth and to my family: May you always have PRECIOUS MEMORIES.

GOD BE WITH YOU 'TIL WE MEET AGAIN