Betty Chantland

Elizabeth “Betty” Jean Chantland, age 93, of Ames, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Bethany Life in Story City.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 11:00 am at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1416 20th St, Ames, IA 50010. There was a one-hour visitation at the church before the service on Tuesday. Burial was in Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Elizabeth was born on December 21, 1931, to Albert and Joyce (Danielsen) Polka in Tama, Iowa. She graduated from South Tama High School in 1949. Following high school, she worked for some local businesses including the Tama Paper Mill. She was united in marriage to Arnold “Arnie” Ole Chantland September 7, 1952, at the Little Brown Church In Nashua, Iowa. There were three children to this union, Nancy, Carol and Susan. Betty was a homemaker for her family after their marriage. The family moved to Ames after a few years and built their home. They lived in Ames for over 30 years before retiring to Toledo, Iowa. In 2016, the family moved back to Ames.

Betty enjoyed gardening, cooking, camping, snow skiing, playing bridge with her ladies bridge group and playing pinochle with a group of pinochle friends. She volunteered at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames. She spent time with family and friends making memories over the years that were dear to her. Betty and Arnie were founding members of the Northminster Presbyterian Church in Ames.

Betty is survived by her husband of 73 years, Arnold “Arnie” Chantland; three children, Nancy Lenz of Shakopee, MN, Carol (David) Nicklaus of Webster Groves, MO, and Susan (Jack) Petersen of Clive; nine grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Donna Smith, and a son-in-law Gary Lenz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation,

1111 Duff Ave., Ames, IA 50010 or to Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1416 20th Street, Ames, Iowa 50010 in loving memory of Betty,

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.stevensmemorialchapel.com for the Chantland family.