Thelma Alice (Downen) Betz, 91 years old of Trenton, MO., left this world to walk with her lord and savior on June 28, 2025.

Thelma was born at home in Stahl, MO. on May 6, 1934 to Joel and Lora (Davis) Downen. On May 25, 1969, Thelma was united in marriage to Bill Betz at their home in rural Grundy County, celebrating 54 years of marriage before his death in 2023.

She is survived by daughters Mitzi (Rusty) Wilson of Kirksville, MO., Patti (Jon) Shannon of Trenton, MO., and Susan (Greg) Nedrow of Oklahoma. Two sons, Mike (Robin) Betz of Trenton, MO. and Bill (Jackie) Betz of Las Vegas. Grandchildren, Jeremy (Mary) Eads of Spickard, MO., Lance (Theresa) Eads of Kirksville, MO., Daniel Betz of Bethany, Amy Ellis, Jessica Standiford, Alyssa Miller, Aiden Stevenson, Christopher and Scott Valladares, Jason (Sunny) Nedrow, and Terrell Nedrow. Great Grandchildren Cymber (Hayden) Coin, Ceiren Eads, and Cienna (Mitchell Mahurin) Eads, Brandon and Dalton Wheeler, Jaden, Tyne, and Aubrey Melnick, Blaze Betz, Mikey and Iliana Valladares, Adriana Gomez, Fisher Gilmore and Georgia Nedrow, as well as 13 other Great Grandchildren. Great-Great Grandchildren Deklyn, Daxtyn, Daegyn, Doriyn Coin, Caspian Mahurin, as well as six additional Great-Great Grandchildren.

Thelma was preceded in death by her husband Bill Betz, her parents, six brothers, Harry, Floyd, Clyde and Delbert Downen, two infants, one sister Violet Stiner, and a granddaughter Corry Betz who died in infancy.

Thelma was a waitress for many years in the Trenton area before beginning to work at Trenton
Foods.

A visitation is scheduled from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO. Funeral services are to follow at 11:00 A.M. Afterwards, there will be a graveside service in Trenton, MO. at the Resthaven Cemetery at 2:00
PM.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association and may be left with or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Rusty Wilson, Jeremy Eads, Lance Eads, Jon Shannon, Hayden Coin and Mitchell Mahurin. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Betz, Bill Betz, Greg Nedrow, Brandon Wheeler, and Dalton Wheeler.