| Honored by: | Ann Moody |
| Brick location: | D:28 map |
Betty Jean Severeid Breckenfelder has touched thousands of people through her music, teaching, travels, and civic work. Born in Elmore, Minnesota, her parents Arthur and Alma Severeid moved to Ames, Iowa where she attended grade schools and was graduated from Ames High School, class of 1940. She has lived most of her adult life in Muscatine, Iowa with E. H. "Breck" Breckenfelder, her husband of 50 years. Together they reared five children, who in turn have produced 12 grandchildren.
Betty enjoys singing. An early public performance was a 1931 broadcast over Radio Station WOI in Ames. She studied voice at Drake University and subsequently at the Boston Conservatory of Music during the time her husband was stationed there during World War II. Betty was graduated from Iowa State University in 1944 with a B.S. in Home Economics.
At Iowa State she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and was Initiated into Sigma Alpha Iota and Psi Chi. In 1971 she received her Master of Arts from the University of Iowa.
After teaching 14 years at the elementary level, Betty retired from the Muscatine Community School District in 1982. She is a life member of the National Education Association and a member of the American Association of University Women, P.E.O., West End Fortnightly, Alpha Delta Kappa, and Zion Lutheran Church. She has actively supported Breck's activities in Rotary International, attending many International conventions and was first lady of District 600 during his year as District Govemor. She is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Over the years Betty has shared her gift of music and is regionally known for presenting an entertaining historical program on teddy bears. Additional hobbies include sewing, knitting, miniature crafts, and travel. We the children of Betty Severeid Breckenfelder honor our mother for the love, understanding, and guidance she has given us throughout our lives.
Jane Breckenfelder Rasmussen, Ann Breckenfelder Moody, David Breckenfelder, Susan Breckenfelder Thilo, John Breckenfelder
12/31/94