Betty Jean (Smit) Elgersma, daughter of Joe and Winnie (De Jong) Smit, was born on March 18, 1942, in Sheldon, Iowa. During her childhood years, she attended Sheldon grade school and graduated from Western Christian high school in 1960.

    She was united in marriage to Pierson James Elgersma on January 10, 1961. They lived and farmed around the Sanborn and Sheldon, Iowa areas and retired in Sheldon in 1998. After Pierson passed away, Betty made her home in Sibley, Iowa.

    She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and looked forward every day searching for pictures on snap chat.

    Through the years, she had various jobs. She played piano to pass the time and listened to her collection of old Gospel quartet records. She planted a garden in her backyard for years.

    On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Betty passed away at the age of 84 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pierson Elgersma; sister, Kathleen (Andy) Zylstra; brother, Jim (Jenny) Smit; in-laws: Janice (Jim) Van Engen, Marlene (Irv) Woudstra, and Jack Elgersma.

    Survivors include four daughters and their families: Lori and Gary Coulander of Sheldon, Iowa, Lisa and Randy Wills of Sibley, Iowa, Tammy and Jim Frick of Arnolds Park, Iowa, and Roxann Hoogland (Blake) of Paullina, Iowa; grandkids: Tyler Frick, Alexis (Keegan) Brannin, Trent Hoogland and his fiancé, Chantel, Morgan Hoogland and her fiancé, Derek; great-grandkids: Teller Brannin, Kane Hoogland, Jacob Stamer and Kodi Ann Stamer; siblings: Fran (Ed) Boer, Jerry (Linda) Smit, Roger (Phyllis) Smit, and Marilyn (Bob) Hoogeboom; in-laws, Rudy Jacobsen, and Carol Elgersma.