Bette Ann Wubbena, we won't mention her age (because she'd rather we didn't – plus, she encouraged us to use our math skills, hahaha), left us physically and continued her spiritual journey with God on the afternoon of Sunday, December 11, 2022, at Allen (UnityPoint Health) Hospital in Waterloo.

Known as Bette W, Mom, Grandma, and sometimes "The Bette", first blessed us on April 4, 1947, in Waverly, IA. She was a proud daughter of "Grampa" Frank and Alvera "Gramma" Schoneman.

She graduated from Allison-Bristow High School in 1965 and married her high school sweetheart Charles "Chuck" Wubbena on March 9, 1968, at St. James Lutheran Church in Allison.

Bette worked for a variety of locations but settled into the role she was meant to play in so many lives by joining Grow Cedar Valley (previously known as the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber.)

How can we even begin to list her involvement in this community?? Some highlights include the Waterloo Jayceettes, the Waterloo Downtown Council, My Waterloo Days Committee, the Allen Heart Foundation, Go Red for Women, The Ambassadors, and so much more!!

She loved to shop … and spoil her granddaughter.

She loved to support and encourage us all.

She loved to see us all be the best versions of ourselves – like no other we may ever know!

People were her passion. This community was her passion.

WE were her passion! She loved us all!

Bette loved Christmas quite possibly the most. She had many favorite Christmas songs, but "Silent Night, Holy Night" was her favorite. She cherished the candlelight services tremendously. She believed as her father did, that Christmas isn't just a season, it's a spirit of joy, love, and kindness to share with everyone all year 'round. That's part of why Christmas was often a little difficult for her. She would talk often about how much she missed her dad (among others). Bette would want us all to cherish everyone in our life all the time – be fair to one another – forgive often – and, most importantly, don't sweat the small stuff!

Bette is survived by her husband, Chuck; daughter, Michelle; son, Mark; and "grandbaby", Lizzy (she prefers Liz, btw) Wubbena, of Waterloo; her sister, Doris Schoneman and Doris' husband Dave Mongin of Milwaukee, WI; a bonus daughter, Heather Lash-Dietz, Heather's husband Jared Dietz, and their children, Gwen and Gevin; so many nieces, nephews, in-laws (and outlaws), beloved pets (Lilly & Leia), and her son's band brothers throughout the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 19, 2022, at Locke at Tower Park in Waterloo. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Locke at Tower Park; also, for one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family. Visit www.lockefuneralservices.com for more. Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, 319-233-3146.