Rebecca "Becky" R. Edelen, 74, of Brooklyn, IA passed away on May 1, 2025, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Methodist Church in Brooklyn, IA. A luncheon will be held following the service at the Manatt Community Center.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Smith Funeral home in Brooklyn, IA.

Memorial designations may be made payable to the Rebecca Edelen Memorial Fund mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home PO Box 382, Brooklyn, IA 52211.

Becky was born on June 10, 1950, to Robert and Velda (Larsen) Rutherford in Grinnell, IA. She attended Grinnell-Newburg Schools and was an active 4-H participant. After graduation Becky attended University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

She was united in marriage to Joseph Edelen at Grinnell United Methodist Church on August 28, 1970. The couple lived in Utah while Joe finished his military career then moved to Iowa finding their forever home in Brooklyn where they lovingly raised 4 children, Mike, Jon, Karin and Brian and grandson Cameron. Becky worked for Grinnell State Bank, Collum Electric and retired from Manatt's in Brooklyn, IA after 31 years.

Becky was not one to sit still unless it involved a good book, especially on her patio or her porch. She shared her love of reading by volunteering to read to students at BGM school and eventually became a part time employee. She was a long-time member of Grace United Methodist where she wore many hats from Sunday school teacher to Circle of Friends to Superintendent. Becky was a member of TTT since 1976. She enjoyed singing and was an active member of the Bear Creek Singers. She was an early riser and was always ready to go on her daily walks with her walking group. She described baking and cooking as fun and did them both well. Her salsa was a cherished reward from her garden. The Poweshiek County Fair kept her and Joe busy working in Crazy Granny's Kitchen. Becky greatly enjoyed the neighborhood bon fires, card games, and her season tickets to the Civic Center. Becky enjoyed traveling with Joe, family and friends. She visited many places including Florida, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, San Antonio, Las Vegas and more. Even with all of this she always made time for her grandchildren and their activities. She loved her cats – Max and Hawkeye, both of whom chose her for life. Above all she enjoyed spending time with the love of her life, Joe, whether it was golf cart rides around town, going out to dinner or watching the sun set at their pond. Family was everything to Becky and she spent every day being the glue to hold everyone together creating an unbreakable bond.

Becky is survived by her husband, Joe Edelen of Brooklyn, IA; her children, Mike (Cally) Edelen of Bondurant, IA, Jon (Amy McAllister) Edelen of West Des Moines, IA, Karin Edelen of Brooklyn, IA, and Brian (Drea Cline) Edelen of Grinnell, IA; her grandchildren, Cameron Farmer of Idaho, Brayden and Hunter Edelen of Bondurant, IA, Pyper McAllister, Bailey McAllister, Dallas McAllister, Noah Edelen, Addie McAllister of West Des Moines, Kaiden Forsythe of Brooklyn; her beloved grand-animals Charlie, Coco, Duck Norris, Scuba Steve, Gigi, Tiger, Walter, and Lexi; her siblings, Steve (Patty) Rutherford of Grinnell, IA, and Mark (Vickie) Rutherford of Grinnell, IA; her in-laws, Danny Anderson of Montezuma, IA, Diane (Nathan) Arens of Brooklyn, IA, Don (Susie) Edelen of Grinnell, IA, Gene (Maria) Edelen of Cedar Rapids, IA, and; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and more friends than anyone we know.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Velda Rutherford, her in-laws, Keith and Evelyn Edelen; her sister-in-law and lifelong friend Therese Anderson and an infant brother, David Rutherford.