|
"I love government and the history of our country, the political aspect of it, how the system works," she says. "It's just a very interesting thing. Our forefathers really knew what they were doing."
However, Dilley didn't become involved in politics until after retirement. She worked for the state for her entire career, starting out in clerical and working up to a stenographer, an interviewer and finally retiring as state parole officer. She earned a degree in sociology and secondary education by taking night classes at Drake University in Des Moines.
Working for the state prevented her from being involved in politics, so soon after retiring she became active in the Democratic party. She is the chair of the Mahaska County Democrat Central Committee and she president of the Mahaska County Women Democrats.
Dilley volunteers a lot of time for the Mahaska County Democrats, preparing monthly meetings and fundraisers, working in the fair booth and promoting the party.
"We had a busy busy year," she says. "People had a wonderful opportunity to meet the candidates. Several came here more than once. We were very busy with the caucus, we had huge numbers of people coming out. It makes you feel good that people are interested."
"I've always had an interest in government, it was my favorite subject in school," she adds.
"The one thing about volunteering is I like to do things that I think are useful for the community and the state," she says.
Dilley doesn't seem to rest when it comes to finding ways to support Mahaska County and the State of Iowa' she is very active in volunteering at both levels.
For the Oskaloosa Chamber of Commerce, she helps sell merchandise at booths at annual events such as the Sweet Corn Serenade and Art on the Square.
She also volunteers at the Iowa State Fair, working in the Democratic party booth, the Blue Ribbon booth, the Iowa Public Television booth and the Fair Information booth.
"I've learned so much about the fair," she says. "We have the best state fair in the U.S."
She also a volunteer during Iowa Public Television's festival, doing a lot of behind the scenes work as well as answering the phone.
Stephanie Haupert of Oskaloosa says, "Her husband, Ernest, is also very important, because he drives Betty to every event that she volunteers for. He waits patiently for her and is always by her side."
Dilley says of her husband, "He drives, it gets him out of the house. He can find things to keep himself occupied. He never complains about waiting."
Haupert says, "Ernest and Betty help their niece, Dixie Shipley, who runs the Delta Grocery in Delta. They will often go to the store and run it for Dixie when she is unable to do so.
"These two people have enormous hearts and do so much for Mahaska County, the City of Oskaloosa, and the State of Iowa," Haupert says.
"It is a lot of fun and educational," Dilley says. "The volunteer benefits a lot."
|
