Obituary of Elizabeth Mae Courtney

Elizabeth M. “Betty” Courtney, age 92 of Iowa City died Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Lantern Park Care Center in Coralville. Funeral services will be held at 11am Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. There will be a time of visitation one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com. Elizabeth Mae Barnhart was born April 9, 1929, in rural Chariton, Iowa, the daughter of Eugene E. and Edna (Triplett) Barnhart. She attended and graduated from rural schools near Chariton, Iowa. Betty married Junior W. “J.W. Bill” Courtney on April 29, 1944, in Moberly, Missouri. The couple made their home in Iowa City where in addition to raising their children, Betty worked at the University Hospitals, first in Children’s Hospitals caring for children with polio. She then worked in dermatology and pathology departments of the hospital in research. She and her husband, Junior enjoyed the outdoors, camping with family, mushrooming, and fishing. Betty was also known for her artistic abilities and doll making. Her family includes her children, William E. Courtney (Sylvia), Stephen Courtney and Rodney Courtney (Debbie); 5 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Junior, grandson, Chad Courtney; siblings, Harry Barnhart, Eugene Barnhart Jr., Mary Tracy, Marguerite Kelso, Louise Barnhart, and Ray Barnhart; and daughter-in-law, Donna.