Bettye Ruth (Judd) Meinecke, 81, formerly of Orofino
Bettye Ruth (Judd) Meinecke, 81, of Lewiston, passed away June 5, 2013, in Lewiston. She was born Jan. 28, 1932, to Fred E. Judd and Blanche (Stewart) Judd in Kooskia. She attended elementary schools in the Tri-Cities, WA and Genesee. She graduated from Lewiston High School in 1950 and the University of Idaho in 1954.
She married Jack Fairley Aug. 24, 1954. The marriage later ended in divorce. She married Henry M. (Hank) Meinecke Nov. 19, 1976, and they were still married at the time of her death. He was the love of her life and they had more than 40 years together.
Bettye lived in St. Louis, MO, after her marriage in 1954 and taught school while Jack was in dental school. She then lived in Fairbanks, AK, from 1957 to 1960, where her children were born. She then moved to Orofino and lived there until their divorce in 1973, when she moved back to Lewiston, where she has lived ever since. She was a housewife and mother in Orofino and worked part time at Jack's dental office. When she came back to Lewiston she took over ownership of her dad's bar, The Silver Dollar, and was an owner/bartender there until retirement in 1995.
Bettye was a city councilor in Orofino in the late 1960s, a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at the U of I and was a member of the Episcopalian religion. She always loved to swim and taught her children to love and respect the rivers! In her younger years she was athletic and played tennis and golf. She enjoyed trap shooting, bowling and camping as well. Later on in life she enjoyed golf, darts, crocheting and was an avid reader. Gardening was also another one of her hobbies and she had a large vegetable garden. She had beautiful flower gardens and flower pots and loved all flowers. She also enjoyed canning and making jams, jellies, fruits and veggies. She always made pickles in her grandmother's crockpot.
She was a great wife, mother and friend and we will dearly miss her.
She is survived by her husband, Hank Meinecke; son, Scott F. Fairley; and daughter, Lynn L. Fairley, all of Lewiston. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Per her request, there will be no services. Cremation has taken place. Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Family Hospice, the Salvation Army or the family asks that you plant some flowers.
Please sign the online guest book at www.vassar-rawls.com.
Transcribed by Michal Berreth-Beck, 2014