Elizabeth May "Betsy" Hysell (née Grenawalt) of Burlington, died April 25, 2024, at the age of 82. Betsy was born on Nov. 6, 1941, in Beaver Dam, Wisc.
The Grenawalt family moved to various locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio before settling in Iowa, where Betsy spent the next 68 years, starting with high school in Washington, Iowa.
Betsy attended the University of Iowa, where she met John Garwood. They married on May 8, 1962, and soon after, John joined the Army. They moved to New Jersey and started their family-Steve was born in 1963, and Mike was born in 1967. Betsy continued her college education part-time for several years and then returned to the University of Iowa to finalize her teaching degree.
She and the boys moved to Burlington, in 1969, where Betsy started a teaching career that lasted 35 years. In 1986, Betsy married Jerry Hysell, a former Washington High School classmate. They both enjoyed gardening, landscaping, and birdwatching. Betsy enjoyed her life and friends in Burlington. Betsy and family attended Messiah Lutheran Church on a regular basis. She was an enthusiastic gardener and quilter.
She frequently worked with the State and local Teachers Association and the Democratic Party. Her teaching efforts were recognized by receiving various teachers' awards.
Over the past few years, her health declined, but she stayed in good spirits, assisted byher family of cats.
Betsy is survived by her husband, Jerry Hysell; sons: Stephen Garwood and his wife, Nancy, and Michael Garwood; grandchildren: Samuel Garwood, Sara Garwood, and Susan Garwood, along with twin brother Bill Grenawalt and sister Katie Wilken.
To honor Betsy’s life, a memorial will be held on June 16, 2024, at Prugh Funeral Home, 3940 Division Street, Burlington, IA 52601 at 2 p.m.