MARY CODDINGTON

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HUMBOLDT - Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Coddington, age 93, of Humboldt passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 at the Long Term Care Center in Humboldt.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Humboldt with Pastor Linda Bigler officiating. Internment will be at Indian Mound Cemetery, Humboldt. Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.

Betty was born July 19, 1916 to Lloyd J. and Florence (Black) Isaacson in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She graduated from Fort Dodge High School in 1934, and attended Tobin Business College in Fort Dodge for one year. She was introduced to Dr. James Harris Coddington on a picnic in 1940 by her best and lifelong friend Millie Warren.

On July 6, 1941 she married James Harris Coddington in Fort Dodge. James was inducted into the United States Air Force at the outbreak of World War II and served four years as a flight surgeon, both in the States and in the Philippines. While stationed in the States, Betty was with him in Oklahoma City, Colorado Springs, and Fresno, Calif.

After the war they returned to Humboldt where Betty was busy raising her family, active in the Hospital Auxiliary, the United Church of Christ and Humboldt County Historical Association. For many years she enjoyed the companionship of bridge and sewing clubs, and women's golf at the Humboldt Country Club. She was a member of the PEO Sisterhood for 75 years, both in her mother's chapter in Fort Dodge and then in Humboldt, where she had served as president.

She and Jim enjoyed their retirement years traveling and spending time with their family. They both loved to ski at Keystone, Colo., and spend summers at Lake Okoboji, Iowa; two of their favorite places. An Okoboji sunset as the Queen sailed by was the perfect ending to her day.

She is survived by her two children, James K. (Linda) Coddington of Mason City and Jane (James) Velander of Mundelein, Ill.; five grandchildren, Sara (Neil) Estrick of Grayslake, Ill., William (Sarah) Coddington of Chicago, Ill., David Coddington of Chicago, Ill., Stephanie (Richard) Peterson of Holland, Mich., Timothy (Sara) Velander of Mundelein, Ill.; and four great-grandchildren, Jack and Henry Estrick, Thomas Coddington, and Micah Peterson.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, her parents, and her sister, Jane Hamilton.

Betty had many friends and loved people. Once she met you, you were her friend for life.