Betty "Lou" Jean Mackie

Betty “Lou” Jean Mackie, 79 of Grundy Center, IA passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at her home.  A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3^rd at the Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, Engelkes Chapel in Grundy Center.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4^th at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. Immediately following burial, fellowship with the family will be held at the Town and Country Golf Course, Grundy Center.  Memorials may be directed to the family.

Betty was born on July 18, 1943 to Orren Douglas and Abena Arika (Gronewald) Jackson in Bedford, IA.  She grew up in Bedford, IA and graduated in 1961.  She was 1 of 15 children.

In 1964, Betty married Roger Kiewiet.  They had 3 children, Curtis (Velvet) Kiewiet, Steven (Melanie) Kiewiet, and Gary (Amber) Kiewiet. They later divorced.

On, July 26, 1975 Betty was united in marriage to Vernon Mackie in Missouri.  They had 2 children, Emily (Todd) Briddle and Clinton (Pam) Mackie.  Through this marriage Betty gained 4 step-children: Curt (Deb) Mackie, Jay (Kathy) Mackie, Karla (John) Joerger, and Chad (Rachel) Mackie.

Through the years, Betty worked sorting corn for various seed corn companies. She also enjoyed taking care of various animals, especially the ones Vernon and the kids would bring home.  They ran their own businesses, Vernon Mackie Trucking and M and M Pork.

Betty enjoyed fishing, puzzles, Cardinals, The Waltons, General Hospital, As the World Turns, The Voice, CMT, her sons Figure 8 Racing, demolition derbys, but more than anything you could find her at a penny machine with her sister, Lillie, at the casino. She also enjoyed spending time with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon, brothers- James, Harry, Lawrence, Donald, Glen, Bill, and Leroy, sisters-EllaMae, MaryAnn, and Daisy.

She is survived by her 5 children; 4 step-children; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; 4 siblings-Lillie, Eldon, Douglas, and Richard; several nieces and nephews;  and her special friend of 12 years, Al Morrow.