Betty J. Kleyla

Betty J. Kleyla, 93, of Monticello, passed away on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at White Oak Health Campus.

She was born on January 27, 1930 in Wolcott on her grandparents farm to the late George and Edna Vera (Cota) Krintz. She married Kenneth Dale Kleyla on January 5, 1951 in the St. James Lutheran Church in Reynolds and he preceded her in death.

Betty was a 1948 graduate of Reynolds High School. She later attended Manchester College as an art major where she was a member of the women's volleyball team. Betty worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for Diener Brother Seeds for many years from which she retired. She also worked at St. James Lutheran Church doing the church bulletins for several years.

She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Reynolds and a member of the Honey Creek Homemaker Club. She was very artistic. She enjoyed calligraphy and water color painting. She enjoyed flower gardening, managing her farm land, following the stock market, and playing Chinese checkers. Betty loved nature, trees, bird watching and animals ultimately resulting in her support of projects protecting wildlife, and animal welfare, especially, the National Audubon Society, Arbor Day Foundation, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Surviving are her children, Claire (Gary) Grant of Reynolds, Gail Kleyla of Monticello, Scott Kleyla of Monticello; grandchildren, Lindsey (Jeremy) Cooley, Lacey (Grant) Malchow, Angela (Peter) Lane, Kelly Wiese, and David and Matthew Kleyla; great grandsons, Mason Malchow and Milo and Owen Klesert; nephew, Michael (Tammy) Krintz of Monticello.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Scott Kleyla; brother, Francis "P-Nut" Krintz.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from until 11:00 am until the time of funeral services celebrating Betty's life at 1:00 pm at Springer-Voorhis-Draper Funeral Home of Monticello. Pastor Andrew Keller of St. James Lutheran Church, Reynolds officiating.

Burial will follow in St. James Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. James Lutheran Church of Reynolds or the ASPCA. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Friends and family are encouraged to share a photo, a memory, or messages of condolence at www.springervoorhisdraper.com