Beatrice (Betty) Alice Crawford's Obituary
Betty was born May 15, 1922 in San Francisco, CA to Francis Bethel and Freda Kohler Bethel and passed away in Renton, WA, July 18, 2013 at the age of 91.
She graduated from the Dalles High School in 1940. After receiving her license as a Registered Nurse, she joined the US Army and served in mobile hospitals as a part of Patton's Army in Europe from 1943-45. Upon receiving her Honorable Discharge she obtained her Private Pilot License in September and married her flight instructor, Charles Crawford in November 1947.
Betty was a charter member of St. John Lutheran Church in Lakewood. A campfire girls leader for many years, a member of Women's Overseas Service League (for Women who served in our military overseas during wartime) and a longtime nurse at St. Joseph Hospital.
In the 1960's she lived in Minnesota for four years, when Northwest Airlines transferred her husband there. She did not enjoy the cold and hot weather but became a true sports fan cheering on the Minnesota twins, later transferring her allegiance to the Seattle Mariners and U of W Huskies. The highlight of her sport fan days was a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1993.
Betty enjoyed travel and in her lifetime made several trips to Scotland to visit relatives and also traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, and Hong Kong. She kept friends close through her life including those she initially met in the first grade. After children were raised she had many fun gatherings with her childhood friends, spending days together at the Oregon Coast.
After a health crisis five years ago Betty moved in with her son, David and his wife Dana; there our cat loving mother discovered the friendship of dogs, especially Maddy, her constant companion.
She was a devoted mother to her children and retired as grandchildren come to spend more time with them. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Crawford and brother, Robert Bethel and survived by her children, Bethel Webber, David (Dana) and Stephen Crawford; also her grandchildren, Allison Webber, Adam Crawford, Kyle Webber, Amanda Crawford and Rachel Webber and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday July 30, 2013 at 2:00pm in the Garden Chapel at Mountain View Memorial Park and Funeral Home located at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. Remembrances may be made to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc.
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