M. Elizabeth "Betty" Vinson

Rock Rapids, IA         Marjorie Elizabeth “Betty” Vinson age 97 of Rock Rapids, IA passed away Thursday, December 28, 2017 at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA.     A memorial celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Kathy Sides, officiating.  Burial will be at a later date in the Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids, IA.     Visitation will be Saturday, January 6th, one hour prior to services with the family present at the United Methodist Church.     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Rock Rapids United Methodist Church Choir.     Marjorie Elizabeth “Betty” (Hays) Vinson was born February 28, 1920 in Aberdeen, South Dakota to Forrest W. and Murriel Biles Hays.  Soon after Betty’s birth, the Hays family moved to Mitchell, South Dakota.     Betty excelled in school scholastically and participated in vocal music and speech, receiving many awards and accolades for both.  At Mitchell High School, Betty was elected “Most Representative Girl” both her sophomore and senior years. After high school, Betty attended Dakota Wesleyan University where, at the freshman mixer, she met the love of her life, Craig Vinson. They were married in 1939.       After World War II, Betty and Craig moved to Algona, Iowa, where Craig opened a car body shop and Betty joined the Methodist Church choir and Bel canto, a prestigious music organization. It was in Algona where Betty became the “Story Lady” at the library.   In 1951, Craig joined the Iowa Highway Patrol and the Vinson’s moved to Sheldon, Iowa, where Betty joined the Methodist Church Choir and became a Cub Scout Leader.  Craig was transferred to Rock Rapids in 1952.  Betty joined the Rock Rapids Methodist Church Choir and became a Brownie/Girl Scout Leader. For many years, Betty directed the Methodist Church Junior Choir.  In 1959, Betty became the Senior Choir Director; a position she treasured for 35 years.  Betty often directed the Rock Rapids Community Choir.  For over thirty years, Betty, Dorothy McCormick and Pauline Sindt sang in a trio. An avid reader, and constant learner, Betty loved the library and read books and multiple newspapers until very recently.  She enjoyed giving programs and public readings.      Betty was a 50+ year member of The Order of Eastern Star and a 60+ year member of Rock Rapids P.E.O. Chapter AI.      She is survived by her children, Tom (Sue) of Rock Rapids, IA, Janey Vinson Pullen of Omaha, NE, and Peggy (Jay Underberg) of Sioux Falls, SD, three grandchildren, Randy (Sarah) Vinson, Vicki Vinson (Russ) Kiel, and Jamie Christianson Martens, and two great grandchildren, Claire Vinson and Eli Vinson.  She is also survived by a nephew, Jon (DeAnne) Hays.      Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 76 years, Craig, her parents, her brother, Wesley Hays, and a nephew, Peter Hays.