Betty Jean Metz, 86, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at St. Lukes Hospital.  Celebration of life services will be 11:00 a.m.  Monday, December 30, 2019 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 29, 2019 at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre.

Betty was born November 6, 1933 in Lone Tree, the daughter of Frank and Zelda (Forbes) Skala.  She attended a rural one room school, and later graduated from Lone Tree High School.  Following, she studied at the Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) and earned a teacher's degree from Coe College.  She taught a year in rural Johnson, two years in Ainsworth, and thirty-five years at College Community Schools.  Betty was united in marriage to Gerald "Jerry" Metz on June 8, 1955 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lone Tree.  To this union two children were raised, Renee and Randy.  She was a member of St. Ludmila Catholic Church, St. Anne's Circle, where she volunteered at funeral dinners and for many kolaches bakes.   She also volunteered at Prairie Heights Elementary School following retirement.   She enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting, crossword puzzles, and an occasionally going to the casino.

Betty is survived by her son Randy (Cindy) Metz of Lombard; two grandchildren Julia and Collin Metz; her sisters Emily (Bill) Curran of Iowa City, Rachel Hamilton and Pat (Bob) Yoder both of Lone Tree; as well as her nieces and nephews; and a special family friend Kaye Heitmann of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gerald, and her daughter Renee Nikkel.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Ely Senior Dining or the American Leukemia Society in her name.