Betty Jane (Ottmann) Travis

Betty J. Travis, age 69, of Hamburg, passed away on June 24, 2023, in Omaha, NE.

Betty Jane (Ottmann) Travis was born on September 15, 1953, in Hamburg, IA, the daughter of Donald Eugene and Fern Lucille (Green) Ottmann. The second of four daughters, Betty grew up and attended school in Hamburg, graduating from Hamburg High School with the Class of 1971.

In May of 1974, she was united in marriage to Denny Travis at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamburg and to this union, a daughter Amy was born. The two later divorced.

After graduating, Betty went to work for Interstate Nursery in Hamburg for a time. She also enjoyed working at the Hamburg movie theater while in school as well as later in life. She worked as a Tupperware salesperson for many years and enjoyed getting to meet people through her business.

She was extremely devoted to her job at the Hamburg Reporter.  Keeping the paper up and running was something she was very passionate about and she worked tirelessly to ensure that Hamburg would be able to keep its own paper.  She even started teaching her grandson, Braden the Thursday paper delivery and always told us she did this so her “buddy” would know what to do in case something happened to her. Her family was the most important thing to her, but the Reporter was a close second!  Although Betty had a very close bond with Braden, and they did a lot together, her most recent pride and joy was her great-granddaughter, Layken or as she called her “baby girl”.  Betty would tell everyone she came in contact with, the funny and cute things Layken had done.  She would joke with her family that she didn’t come to visit them, just the baby.  She never missed a sporting or school event that her grandkids were in.  You always knew Betty would be there to video the whole thing, as well as taking pictures.  Betty spent time with her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchild almost every single day; they did everything together.

In her younger years she was very active in the Assembly of God Church in Hamburg in a variety of different ways.  Betty would always encourage everyone to attend church, read their bible, and trust God.  She truly believed these things were important and made sure everyone knew they had a chance to be saved.  For many years, she attended Cornerstone Church in Nebraska City.  She also enjoyed gardening and running around with her family.  She always wanted to be on the go.  You would rarely find her sitting at home.   She was a dedicated care giver to her mother Fern prior to her passing, making sure she was able to stay at her home as her health declined.

She is survived by her daughter Amy Barker of Hamburg, IA; grandchildren:  Emily Barker, Alyson Barker, Braden Barker; great-grandchild:  Layken Barker; three sisters: Donna (Tim) Whelan of Watson, MO, Linda Striker (Paul) of Treynor, IA, and Lois Miller of Hamburg, IA; nieces, nephews, numerous other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Fern Ottmann.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023 at the Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, IA.  Burial will follow at Mt. Olive Cemetery southeast of Hamburg.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thurs. (6/29) at the funeral home.

Remembrances may be left at www.gudefuneralhomes.com.

Rash-Gude Funeral Home in Hamburg, IA is in charge of arrangements.

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