Valley County, IDGenWeb Project | |
Bette Joyce Walker, 84, formerly of McCall, passed away on December 22, 2012, in Renton, Wash.
A service for Bette will be held in early summer in McCall.
Bette was born May 28, 1928, to George and Ollie (Butherus) Ritter, in Emmett.
She was the youngest of five daughters, who could have all easily authored many children’s true adventure books and German cook books, according to their children and grandchildren. The family eventually settled in Nampa.
Bette was a life-long member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and attended Gem State Academy in Caldwell.
She was the proud wife of 56 years, to Burton E. Walker, who she married in 1946, in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Donna, and Burt’s best friend, Dean Shultz.
Over the next 13 years, Burt and Bette enjoyed their life in Caldwell, Gooding, Bonners Ferry, and the Little Salmon River, ultimately settling in McCall with their three children, Rand, Nancy, and Debbie, where they owned and operated Walker Funeral Home for the next 30-plus years.
Bette was very proud of her German heritage and loved to cook the favorite family recipes and her famous Christmas candies for her family and friends, as well as baking wonderful pies. She never met a word puzzle she couldn’t conquer, and crocheted and knitted the most beautiful things for loved ones.
Bette was always available to listen and help anyone in any way she could. She had a heart of gold with an amazing sense of humor and a sparkle in her bright blue eyes. Her kids could do no wrong and her grandkids were beyond perfect (and do not suggest it). She spoke proudly of loving memories with them every single day.
Bette was an accomplished pianist. She and Burt played all their years together, a perfect team, her on the piano, him on the organ, at meetings and events everywhere.
Bette was, sadly, preceded in death by her grandson, James (Jamie) Keto, who passed away March 12, 1988; her sister, Goldie, in 1993; husband, Burton, who died Aug. 21, 2002; granddaughter, Sarah Keto, who passed away Jan. 14, 2007; son-in-law, Joseph Keto, who passed away Jan. 29, 2011; daughter, Nancy Walker Keto, who died Aug. 19, 2011; and her sister, Donna, who passed away Oct. 25, 2011.
She is survived by two of her sisters, Frances Egbert and Verla Tarter; her son, Rand and wife Tobeia Walker of McCall; her daughter, Debra and husband Dennis English of Renton, Wash.; four grandchildren, Karla “Ann” Walker of Boston, Mass., Amy Keto-Hammon of Boise, Alex and wife Brittany English of Walla Walla, Wash., and Jillian English of Renton, Wash.; one great-grandchild, Chloe Hammon (Boise); also many precious nieces and nephews.
Bette loved God. She loved her family with all her heart which drove everything she did, and all her family loved her right back and always will. We will live in the promise of seeing you again. Rest peacefully, Momma.
Donations in her memory may be made to Puget Sound Adventist Academy’s Tuition Assistance Program, online or by mail to Puget Sound Adventist Academy, 5320 108th Ave. NE, Kirkland, WA 98033. or Gem State Adventist Academy, online or by mail at GSAA, 16115 South Montana Ave., Caldwell, ID 83607.
Copyright Notice:
All materials contained on these pages are furnished for the free use of those engaged in researching their family origins. Any commercial use or distribution, without the consent of the host/author of these pages is prohibited.