BETSY WINNIFRED STENGER

1907 - 2011

Betsy Winnifred (Grubb) Stenger passed away at home, surrounded by her family, in Anacortes, WA, at the age of 103 on January 22, 2011. She was born on September 26, 1907 in Burke Co., ND, the third of eight children of John and Annie (Swenson) Grubb.

She attended grade school in a one-room country school and graduated from Bowbells, ND High School in 1925. She then attended Minot Teachers' College and taught in a one-room country school near her parents' home for four years before her marriage to Hardin Stenger on February 25, 1930.

They moved to Hamilton Co, NE, where he worked for Henry Wanek before moving to Stockham, NE. In 1935, during the Depression and Dust Bowl, they moved to Poplar Bluff, MO, where Hardin and his brother, Andy, owned and operated an auto parts store.

Hardin and Betsy returned to Aurora, NE in 1939, where they farmed until 1963. In 1963, they moved to Lynnwood, WA where Hardin and his son, Jack, owned a coin-operated laundry business.

During these years, Betsy was active as a homemaker and was always involved in church and charity work, extension clubs, and her childrens' activities. In 1972, they moved to a small acreage near Granite Falls, WA.

They moved to Anacortes in 1994 to make their final home with their daughter and son-in-law. Hardin died on June 28, 2008 at the age of 101.

Betsy loved gardening, both vegetables and flowers. She loved crafts, which included making quilts for all her children, grandchildren, and most of her great-grandchildren until her eyesight began to fail. Another special joy was traveling around the country to visit friends and relatives. She was always an excellent hostess and loved to play games with her family and friends.

She was a wonderful cook and baker and was well known for her fried chicken, apple pie, and always had a variety of cookies to offer her family when they came to visit. As one friend put it "if you put your feet under Betsy's table, you were blessed".

The most important things in life to Betsy were her faith, her family, and her many friends. She especially cherished the time she spent with her family and friends, which she did until a week before her death. She was an inspiration to so many people, both young and old. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents; five sisters, Helen Moe, Sadie Manley, Vivian Kirkelie, Cordelia Gooduck, Yvonne Butler; brother, Bill Grubb; 1 granddaughter, Betsy Jean Mosley; son, Jim Stenger; and husband, Hardin.
She is survived by four children, Jack (Arleen) Stenger of Edmonds, WA, Jeanine (Jim) Murphy of Anacortes, WA, Betsy Jane Mosley of Anacortes, WA, and Jennifer Calnon of Mountlake Terrace, WA; 22 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Sam Stenger, of Anaheim, CA; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Anacortes. Donations can be made to the Gideon's, the Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice. Condolences to the family can be sent to 11575 Whistle Lake Road, Anacortes, WA, 98221.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Betsy, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.