Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
A funeral service in memory of Betheny A. Buren was held Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sanborn. Pastor Kenneth Funke officiated.
Pallbearers were Brian Letsche, Aaron Letsche, Baden Letsche, Sam Naber, Bruce Buren, Brad Buren and Mike Alesch. Honorary pallbearers were Huckson Vermeer, Alivia Vermeer, Bentlee Buren and Martin Elgersma. Interment in Roseland Cemetery at Sanborn will be at a later date. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Betheny Ann Buren, daughter of Jack L. Elgersma and Nancy K. Iverson, was born on Nov. 8, 1972, in Sheldon. She spent her youth in the Sanborn area where she received her education, graduating from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School with the Class of 1991.
Following graduation she attended Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, where she earned her CNA certification.
Betheny was united in marriage to Brian John Buren on Friday, Aug. 14, 1992, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sanborn. They were blessed with three children: Amber, Caleb and Jenna.
Along with taking care of her growing family and keeping their household running smoothly, Betheny was also employed with Groschopp for 1-1/2 years and then with Carl Zeiss Vision for 22 years until the plant closure.
Since her working years had kept her indoors for the most part, Betheny relished the time she could be outdoors. Camping became a favorite activity the whole family could enjoy. You really didn’t have to go all that far to find fresh air, sunshine and a glowing campfire, making for many memorable times spent together. She also looked forward to getting together with friends over a glass or two of wine, just relaxing and catching up on each other’s lives. Her family and friends made her world complete and she treasured each one of them, yet nothing could compare with cuddling and doting on her three grandchildren – soon to be five!
Betheny had been a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sanborn, participating in various church-related activities over the years.
She passed from this life on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at the age of 52 years. Preceding her were her grandparents: Martin and Darlene Kroese and Jake and Nellie Elgersma; father-in-law, Gerald Buren; uncles: Reggie Kroese and Pierson Elgersma; aunts: Janice Van Engen, Marlene Woudstra and Francise “Babe” Jacobsen.
Keeping her memory close at heart are her husband, Brian Buren, of Sanborn; children: Amber (Chase) Vermeer and children, Huckson and Alivia, of Orange City; Caleb (Shania) Buren and son, Bentlee, of Marcus; and Jenna Buren, of Sanborn; her father, Jack Elgersma and mother, Nancy (Keith) Iverson, of Sanborn; brothers: Brent Elgersma (friend, Kelsey) and Shane (Lanea) Elgersma; sister, Shannon (Brian) Letsche; mother-in-law, Karen Buren, of Sanborn; sister-in-law, Brenda (Mike) Alesch; brothers-in-law: Brad (Donna) Buren and Bruce (Julie) Buren; many nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and dear friends.
