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Bette Housh Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Oct. 11, 2011.

Aug. 11, 1924-Oct. 7, 2011

Bette Jean Housh of Hay Springs passed away Oct. 7 at Rapid City, S.D. Regional Hospital. She was 87.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Hay Springs with Pastor Rod Heilbrun officiating. Burial will be at the Hay Springs Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life service will be Monday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at the United Methodist Fellowship Hall.

Bette was born Aug. 11, 1924 to Cornelius and Faie Heesacker at the family homestead near Hay Springs. As a young girl, she attended District #60 school and she graduated from Hay Springs High School in 1941, at the age of 16.

After graduation, her father bought her a Ford Model A. She then moved to Vancouver, Washington and was employed at the draft board, sending notices for World War II. Upon her return, Bette attended Chadron State Teacher's College, and earned her teaching certificate. Teaching was her niche, and she taught at local, one-room country schools.

She met Bill Housh at the community hall on the Flats, while both were acting in a play. On July 10, 1946, she married Bill in Gering. To this union, five sons and one daughter were born.

In 1956, they built a new home 16 miles south of Hay Springs, where they raised their family.

She was a member of the Mariners, Security Gold, "card club," UMW, and was active in the United Methodist Church.

Bette enjoyed her chickens, gardening, canning, fishing, going to the casino, reading, playing cards, quilting, and helping out on the farm or wherever she was needed. She was "famous" for her dill pickles, mashed potatoes, cinnamon rolls, banana bread, and cookies. She rarely missed any of her children's or grandchildren's sporting events or activities.

Bette is survived by: her daughter: Barbara (Rex) Roth, Grand Junction, Colo.; sons: Bob (Donna), Littleton, Colo., Gary (Bonnie), Ron (Sharon), Tom (Nola), and Jeff (Michele), all of Hay Springs; brothers Jack (Pauline) Heesacker, Larry (Pauline) Heesacker; sister-in-law Jeri Heesacker; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bill, brother Marvin; sister Joan; and infant sister, Bonnie.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at the United Methodist Church, with Pastor Rod Heilbrun officiating. Interment is at Hay Springs Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for the Hay Springs Ambulance Fund or the Hay Springs Fire Department Building Fund. Donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel, P.O. Box 970, Chadron, Nebraska 69337.

Online condolences can be made at www.chamberlainchapel.com

Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.