Betty Sandoval

Betty Jane Sandoval, born Betty Jane Welcher at Grace Hospital in Detroit, Mich., to parents Nora and Leslie Welcher on Nov. 22, 1924, "Grandma Betty" died at home and at rest at 9 a.m. on Oct. 11, 2010. To those who knew her, she loved you all. And to all of us, we are reminded by her "To love one another."
She leaves her two daughters, Leslye Ann Clarke from Guerneville, Calif., and Glennda Lynn Morford of Carson City, Nev. Her son Michael Clarke preceeded her in death on May 22, 2010.
She enjoyed time spent with her 10 grandchildren and the flurry of great-grandchildren that continue on into this world. Other family members include her two nieces, Janene Clark and Cherie Nunnick of Grass Valley, Calif. and their extended families, and two nieces from Beaver Creek, Ore., Jesse Winter and Bobbie Hasselbring.
Betty worked as a beautician for 30 years but the highlight of her life was in the Navy, from 1942 to 1945. She worked at the Bureau of Ships in Washington, D.C. in the maps division at the Pentagon.
She often spoke of feeling "shang-haid" on the desert, where she settled 30 years ago with her husband Louis Sandoval, also a decorated war veteran and Army paratrooper from World War II, who died on May 12, 1998.
Betty continued to serve as vice president of the Hi-Desert Waves, unit 122, joining other "shang-haid" Waves Nationals in presenting their wreath to honor the war dead on Memorial Day at Victor Valley Memorial Park where she will be buried on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010.
A chapel service from noon to 2 p.m. at Victor Valley Mortuary will be followed by graveside services on the Avenue of Flags including a U.S. Navy Honor Guard presentation and dove ceremony.