Christina Elise (Vander Zee) Betts, 33, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on September 17th, 2023 while on vacation with her husband in Jamaica. Memorial services will be held on Monday October 16, 2023 at St. John's United Church of Christ in Clarence at 10:30 AM with Janet Shotwell officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday October 15 from 2-5 PM also at the church. Burial will be in Red Oak Cemetery.

Christina was born on January 15th, 1990, in Galveston, Texas and grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she graduated from Washington High School in 2008. She achieved various awards, such as "Student of the Year" during her time at Mount Mercy University and was specially selected for an internship at the United States Attorney's Office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After graduating with honors and a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, she started her career at Linn County Juvenile Detention Center, where she dedicated 11 years, and helped lead (IN)POWER Girls Group for young women. The loyalty and commitment to her job was second to none, emerging from her sincere love and compassion for her clients, with whom she cared very deeply for. Just as her "kids" meant the world to her, she, too, made an immeasurable impact on them, acting as both a role model and mentor, having provided them with a place of comfort and safety.

Christina met her wonderful husband, Mark Betts, in 2008 and married in 2014. Together, they built their life in Mechanicsville, Iowa, with their multiple rescue pets and surrounded by an amazing group of friends, dubbed the "Cedar County Crew (CCC)". She loved music, watching movies, and participating in CCC shenanigans on the annual Fourth of July camping trip. She had a big heart for senior dogs in need of rescue and was a strong supporter of Fur Fun Rescue, Inc. located in Lisbon, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents- Gowan & Catherine Miller, paternal grandfather- Michiel Vander Zee, close friend- Chad Flory, & beloved pets- Sweetie, Floppy, & Lola.

Christina is survived by her husband- Mark Betts, parents- John (Jennifer) Vander Zee & Johanna (Scott) Sloan, siblings- Daniel (Christina), Catherine (Josh), Emily (Kelby), Ella & Michael Vander Zee, parents-in-law- Wayne (Diane) Betts, sisters-in-law- Sheila Russell & Tina Plumb, step-sister- Emilia (Justin) Aleksander, close friends- Owen Brobst & CCC, pets- Socks, Shadow, Roscoe, & Lucy.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please forward donations to Fur Fun Rescue, Inc. on behalf of Christina Betts

Venmo: @Fur-Fun-Rescue; mail to: 229 Badger Rd, Lisbon, IA 52253; online: https://furfunrescue.org