Obituary for Betty Jo Kendall

Betty Jo Kendall formerly of the Hiawatha-Marion area passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side in Melbourne, Fla on September 17, 2022 at the age of 89.

She was born March 31, 1933 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. At the age of 2 she moved to Iowa with her parents Joe and Eupholia Havlik.  She spent her growing up years in the rural Anamosa area.

On November 21, 1948 she married Edward "Gene" Kendall in Ottumwa, Iowa where they made their home until 1951 when they moved to Cedar Rapids.  In 1954 Ed started his home building business known as Kendall Craft Homes.  Betty not only was a busy homemaker but also helped Ed run his business.

In 1990 the couple moved to Hiawatha where they lived and managed their townhouse building.  After 27 years there, due to health problems both she and Ed made their home at the Hiawatha Care Center where Ed passed away in August 2021.  Betty chose to move to Florida in December 2021 to be with her family, where she resided at the Life Care Center until her death.

Betty was a wonderful cook and loved entertaining friends and family.  She also loved traveling the world with Ed to many countries often traveling with their good friends the Hutchisons.

Betty and Ed were lifelong members of Jehovah's Witnesses.  Both had the hope of a future resurrection to a paradise earth where old age, sickness and death will be no more.

Betty is survived by her daughters Debby Kellogg and Jini Slezak (Randy) of Melbourne, Fla; son Kevin of Miami, Fla; grandsons Tony Kunz of Cedar Rapids and Nick Babcock of Satellite Beach, Fla; granddaughter Vanessa Kunz of Port St John, Fla; and many loving nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.

A virtual memorial is planned for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 29. Zoom meeting number: 833 0311 8172. No passcode required.

Betty was a wonderful mom and was loved by all who knew her.  We will cherish her memory forever.