Longtime Van Horne Resident Betty DeGraff Dies at 99

DeGraff was a beloved community member and school employee for over 25 years.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:33pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph shot through condensation or rain-streaked glass, composed of warm pools of color and light that evoke the nostalgic, community-oriented atmosphere of a small Midwestern town.The vibrant community spirit and family-oriented values that defined Betty DeGraff's life in Van Horne, Iowa are captured in a dreamlike, impressionistic scene.Mitchellville Today

Elizabeth (Betty) June DeGraff, a longtime resident of Van Horne, Iowa, passed away at the age of 99 on April 3, 2026 at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. DeGraff had a long and fulfilling life, working as a bookkeeper for the family business, DeGraff Milling, before spending 26 years as a school employee, including as a study hall monitor and food service treasurer at Benton Community High School.

Why it matters

DeGraff's passing marks the end of an era for the Van Horne community, where she and her husband Don were pillars of the church, school, and social scene for decades. Her commitment to supporting local youth and her tireless work ethic left a lasting impact on generations of students and residents.

The details

Born in 1926 in Mitchellville, Iowa, DeGraff met her husband Don in 1945 and they were married the following year. The couple moved to Van Horne in 1956 when Don took a new job, and they opened the family business DeGraff Milling. In 1976, at age 50, DeGraff began a 26-year career with the Benton Community School District, working as a study hall monitor and food service treasurer and developing close relationships with students.

  • DeGraff passed away on April 3, 2026.
  • Funeral services will be held on April 11, 2026.

The players

Elizabeth (Betty) June DeGraff

A 99-year-old resident of Van Horne, Iowa who passed away on April 3, 2026. She worked as a bookkeeper for the family business DeGraff Milling and spent 26 years as an employee of the Benton Community School District.

Don DeGraff

Betty DeGraff's husband of 70 years, who co-founded the family business DeGraff Milling with Betty after the couple moved to Van Horne in 1956.

Jon DeGraff

Betty and Don DeGraff's son.

Jan Thomae

Betty and Don DeGraff's daughter.

Benton Community High School

The school district where Betty DeGraff worked for 26 years as a study hall monitor and food service treasurer.

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What’s next

Funeral services for Betty DeGraff will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne.

The takeaway

Betty DeGraff's decades-long commitment to the Van Horne community, her family business, and the local school district left an indelible mark on generations of residents. Her passing marks the end of an era for the small Iowa town she called home for over 70 years.