Betty Lou (Dryer) (McDowell) Harbaugh

Betty Lou (McDowell) Harbaugh, 87, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester.  She was born on November 12, 1938, the daughter of Birdie and Marjorie (Knospe) Dryer in Volga. Betty was raised in the area and was educated in the Clayton County Rural School System.

On November 29, 1954, Betty was united in marriage to Edgar McDowell in Elkport. Five children were born to this union. They lived in Earlville and Betty worked for Ertyl Company in Dyersville for many years as a line worker. Edgar passed away on November 9, 1988. On June 10, 1989, Betty was united in marriage to Ernest Harbaugh at St. Joseph Church in Earlville. Betty and Ernest made their home in Manchester.

Betty enjoyed crocheting, dancing, playing cards, coloring, watching westerns and Elvis.  She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.

Survivors include her five children, Tamra Glass of Ossian, Trisha Hortsman of Prairie du Chien, Terry (Wanda) McDowell of Oneida, Tom (Deb) McDowell of Oneida, and Irvin (Dixie) McDowell of Masonville; 11 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; six great great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Steve Harbaugh of Florida, Loren (Laura) Harbaugh of Florida, and Rosemary (Allen) Newton of Marion and their families; her brother, James (Linda) Dryer of Guttenberg; and sister Susie (Dennis) Horstman of Guttenberg; and nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Edgar McDowell in 1988 and Ernest Harbaugh in 2001; her brother, Denny Phelan and sister Shirley Tuecke.

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