Betty Larson's Obituary
Betty Louise LaPlante was born on December 20, 1925 to Royal A. and Margaret Louise LaPlante of Tacoma,Washington.
Shortly thereafter, the family relocated to Richmond, California and later, with visions of lifetime employment with Standard Oil, to Martinez. The plans were torn asunder by the Crash of the Stock Market. In1929, Betty become a big sister and, henceforth, responded to “Ba Loo, Ba Loo” Her brother’s attempt to say Betty Lou. Upon returning to Washington, she spent her childhood on Salmon Beach, a group of cabins set in a row, down a sandy cliff, and along the shoreline on pilings.
Betty attended Catholic school in her younger years and was very pleased when she was able to attend public school, graduating from Stadium High School.
Even with her proclamations that she was glad to have school behind her, she had been a good student and was well educated. She remembered what she was taught and applied it to her daily life, early on, and later called upon it for her business life and helping her children with their homework.
Betty spent a great deal of time after graduation with her grandmother , Edith Mickle. Living with her while working her first real job in Tacoma. Grandma Mickle knew a good man when she saw him. (Grandma had been married a few times) Giving Betty a nudge toward that Larson boy, Warren.
On June 1, 1946, Betty became Mrs. Warren A. Larson. Within a year the newlyweds had acquired a small house overlooking the City of Tacoma and Mount Rainier. They would live in the house they made a home for their entire married life together. 60+ years.
Betty was never the stereotypical woman of her time. She was indeed a homemaker. But, there was so much more. Among her outside endeavors was running “the little store at the top of the hill” Crescent Heights Grocery. She was able to take her second child with her, cutting costs of a babysitter during school hours. Her parents took over the store in the 1960s. Later, when her husband was recovering from back surgery she was employed at Western Clinic as a medical receptionist/file clerk.
Betty was a closet artist. She worked in charcoals and pastels. She did portraits of her daughter Lynn for her own pleasure and later, for Lynn’s Junior High campaign for student body representative. Family and friends were allowed to enjoy her work of a windblown tree, precariously perched
on a ledge, that she hung in her living room. Another talent she had was for sewing. She lovingly created her second daughter’s wedding gown and her bridesmaid dress for her sister’s wedding (Beautifully). She had many interests outside the home, over the years, including the Crescent Heights Improvement Club, North East Tacoma Gardening Club, a community newspaper with her daughter, Lynn, PTA, her son, Sam’s cub scout groups Den Mother and attended his baseball games. Later she studied Real Estate at TCC and self-teaching herself Real Estate law and Landlord/Rental agreements.
She was a member of a Bridge foursome. They were very good friends and went on vacations together and became couples friends as well. The original foursome was: friend and neighbor, Margaret Doxon, Winnie Slyter, and Ailine Lindley. These women PLAYED Bridge. If you wanted to say “hello” you waited until they bid their hand. Eventually, other priorities forced them to discontinue the foursome. Bridge became one of Betty’s all-consuming challenges and she mastered it. The many friends she made during this journey were a joy to her. Stories abounded about Wes and Shirley doing this and that. Trips to (Nanaimo/Las Vegas/Reno) with Sharon Gaunt and Shirley O were accompanied by their silly good times in pictures that Mom shared with her family. Betty was having difficulties in the late 90s and early 2000 and these dear friends always made sure she was taken care of on these trips, that she enjoyed so much. Dear friends, indeed!
In the 1960s Betty serendipitously became Landlord, Bookkeeper, and front woman for a self-owned Real Estate business. She liked to call Larson’s Rentals (Sears changed it to Larson Reynolds. Giving us all a laugh when this mail appeared in the mailbox)
Betty and Warren bought houses that were in need of repair. They did the renovation work themselves then either rented or sold the houses. At one point during the 80’s they owned 12 houses in various locations in Tacoma.
Betty’s favorite was the Harrison House that, to us, was North 12th.
Together they had achieved the American Dream. With Grit, determination, and a blind eye to folly.
Betty moved to Point Defiance Village Retirement center in January 2010. A stone’s throw from Salmon Beach, life had circled. She greatly enjoyed the camaraderie of the other residents, and made some good friends.
Her Brother, Roy, moved in down the hall from her two years later. The residents held weekly card games among them Bridge (big plus), but , NOT having to cook gave Betty “queen” Status!
Betty was preceded Home (in death) by her husband, Warren, on September 30, 2009. She is survived by her brother, Royal A. LaPlante Jr.
and her three children: Lynn (and Dale) Wahlund, Cindi Kruckeberg, Sam(and Denise) Larson. Grandchildren: Eric, Kelly, Lizzy, Aaron, Olivia, Sonya, twins Jonah and Noah Wahlund. Tim(and Nichelle) Kruckeberg. Cody and Addie Larson. Great Grandchild: Michelle Wahlund.
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
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Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
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