Betty M. Thomson

Betty Mae Thomson was born on July 28, 1928, to Charles H. and Anna (Fossell) Wooster on the family farm south of Manning. She was welcomed home by her brother, Richard, and later joined by her younger brother, Charles Jr.

Betty attended Jefferson #7 School in Shelby County through the eighth grade. She then attended high school in Audubon for one year before graduating from Harlan High School in 1946. Following high school, she worked in Harlan for Boothe Enterprises until her marriage to Clyde W. Thomson on October 10, 1948, at Merrill’s Grove Baptist Church near Fiscus, Iowa.

The couple lived in Harlan for a short time before moving to their farm near Manilla, where they raised their five children: James, Marcia, Julie, Kristi, and Sara.

Family was at the heart of Betty’s life. She loved to cook, sew, care for her family, garden, tend her flower beds, and take part in the many activities of farm life. No one ever left Betty’s home hungry, as she was a gracious and welcoming hostess.

In 1972, Betty and Clyde began a business on their farm selling and servicing hay equipment. Betty was an important part of the business, answering the phone and meticulously keeping the books by hand. She continued doing so until 2020.

Her faith was also an important part of her life. As a teenager, Betty trusted Christ as her Savior, recognizing that she was not worthy of salvation through anything she could do herself. Her faith became a lifelong source of joy and comfort. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and helped with Vacation Bible School and Awana for many years.

Betty and Clyde moved from the farm into Manilla in 1996. She remained in her home until 2023, when she moved to Silveridge Assisted Living and later to Gracewell Nursing Home. Betty passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026, having attained the age of 98 years and 25 days.

She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; husband, Clyde; son, James; her two brothers; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Marcia (Gregg) Lanzen, Julie (Carl) Hall, Kristi (Bryan) Troyer, and Sara (Phillip) Stracke; 19 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter on the way; sister-in-law, Joanne Wooster; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Visitation with family greeting friends will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Manning. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., also at the church. Burial will be held in the Nishnabotna Cemetery in Manilla.