Betty Lou (Izer) Reed

Betty Lou Reed, 95 years of age, passed away in her home early Saturday morning, January 18th2025. Betty was born December 30th 1929 in Hagerstown, Maryland to John & Mary Izer.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025 at the North Bend Chapel 2014 McPherson Ave, North Bend, OR 97459. Friends and family are invited and encouraged to join in honoring her memory.

Betty was raised in a large family on several farms near Alden, Iowa. Her earliest memories were of playing in the snow, riding bikes in the summer and spending time at the soda shop inside the local dime store in Iowa Falls. Betty attended Alden County Schools until 7th grade before attending and graduating from Iowa Falls City Schools where she enjoyed spending time with her best friend Margie Rupp.

At 17 Betty met her future husband Don Reed. Don was 19 and they courted for two years before being married on November 27th, 1947. Their honeymoon was in Des Moines, Iowa where they visited Don’s sister Dorothy. In 1949 Don & Betty made their first trip to Oregon. Over the next several years they returned to Iowa, back to Oregon, to Kansas and ultimately settled in North Bend, Oregon where Don purchased and operated the North Bend News.

Both Betty and Don were involvedin the Bay Area community. Betty served within a number of organizations during her life including the National Parent Teacher Association, North Bend School Board & Zonta International. Betty was passionate about and donated to the North Bend Fire Department Toy Drive between 2000-2015. Each year spending her extra income on toys and candy to donate. One of her proudest moments was riding with the NBFD team members to deliver the toys.

She worked at the North Bend News until after Dons passing on January 25th 1973. From that time she worked at the BeeHive Tavern in Coos Bay, OR were she met many folks from the community that she would come to call friends. A favorite memory of hers was when patrons held a Betty Reed look alike competition in honor of her birthday. Betty ultimately retired from Safeway where she worked in the deli then held part time positions at Payless then Rite Aid until she was 86.

For those that knew Betty it will come as no surprise that when asked at 94 how to describe herself she quickly stated, “mouthy, kind, smart and funny”.  Betty was an amazing mother, grandparent, friend and member of the community. Loyal, hardworking, quick to laugh and never shy to share her opinion.She will be deeply missed.

Betty was predeceased by her husband Don Reed, Father John Izer and Mother Mary Izer as well as several brothers and sisters.

Betty is survived by her son Michael& his wife Robynn, her son Mick & his wife Julie, her daughter Melony, grandchildren Adam Reed, Alexa Lucero, Andy Hjelmstrom& Jenna Hjelmstrom.

Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com and www.theworldlink.com. Arrangements are under the care of the North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Lou (Izer) Reed, please visit our floral store.