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Bette Korneliussen Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Bette Korneliussen
4 Entries
Rod Brooks
October 9, 2019
Bette loved being included And that's the word of the day.
What does a guy say about a little sister that has been in his life for sixty years? I've had that question running through my mind for the past week and I still don't know that I've come up with the best answer. Little sisters have been called the bane of a big brother's existence. When it comes to my existence with my sister Bette, there are things that I've forgotten that I wish I could remember and things that I remember that I wish I could forget. That was just the ebb and flow of our life. High points and low points. Happy and sad. But through it all, the love we had for one another was undeniable, uncompromised, and unconditional. We could fight it out and then hug it out. And we did both on a fairly frequent basis.
Our wild ride through life began the day after my sixth birthday in 1959. It was April 28th and Bette became the 4th of five children that our mom and dad brought into the world. What a birthday present.... I'm pretty sure she wasn't the present that I'd asked for (I probably wanted a puppy or a bike), but here she was... That was the year that the family that I knew and understood was changed forever. It's probably not a coincidence that I don't remember much about that birthday... or the following birthday for that matter. But with the unexpected newcomer's arrival, I had someone to share my birthday with for the rest of my life.
Being an older brother is really something that only other older brothers can truly understand. It's being an enemy and a role model, being constantly annoyed and constantly loved, being the epitome of cool one day and an eye-roll receiving jerk the next. If you don't understand how a guy could both love his sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. Being the brother is a life of criticizing and praising, and let me tell you, my relationship with my sister Bette was all of that and more. And I wouldn't trade her for anyone.
When I thought about what to share with you about Bette today there was a word that kept coming up. I saw it in notes she had written and recalled it from comments that she had made. She considered it a special gift and one that she appreciated with all of her heart. The word is included... and that's all that Bette ever wanted to be.
Karen remembered that as little kids on Sunday mornings we were allowed to get up and watch cartoons as long as we didn't wake dad and mom. So we'd sneak out of our rooms, turn on the tv, and each snuggle together in a hand-made afghan and watched what seemed like hours of cartoons before dad got up. And made us toast!
She was the little sister at the bus stop. The little sister on the playground. And the little sister at Sunday school. Being part of whatever her sisters and I were doing was where she wanted to be.
It could have been, playing in the treehouse next door, helping mom with the canning, raking leaves with dad in the yard, or cruising Colby with her sister and friends.
Bette loved to remind me of the time that I came home from college and let her ride to a family camping trip. She was in seventh heaven there in the back seat, singing along with the 8-track tapes... until we were delayed at the border and accused of transporting a minor out of the country.
Bette was so grateful for the times she felt included... especially in more recent years. I remember getting messages from her after the day she experienced while shopping for a wedding dress with her daughter.
There was another telling me about the way she was made to feel special when she was included in a dinner celebrating her sons college graduation.
And of course, for the last three years, she wrote, talked, and smiled about each and every day that there was a chance to be with her granddaughter.
She loved the Saturdays going to garage sales with our sister Janet. The shopping and sleep overs with our sister Judy. The Christmas parties with nieces and nephews and making ginger bread houses with her siblings.
Our last days together were spent over a long Labor Day weekend when we were together with our big sisters at our home in Chelan. She loved visiting, cooking, playing games, making jigsaw puzzles, and was the first to say yes to an invitation for a long and leisurely old-fart boat ride.
Being loved, appreciated, and mostly included, is what made my sister happy. It's the message that I think she'd want all of us to leave here with today. Maybe there's someone's day we could make a little brighter with an invitation that included them.
Here's to our sister, your mother, our friend Bette. We loved you. We honor you. We will always remember you. Not always eye to eye, but always heart to heart.
Amy Taylor
October 3, 2019
I was so sorry to hear of Bette's passing. Her and I were best friends during our sophomore year. We always had so much fun together such as sleepovers, camping, talking about boys etc...I will always cherish those times of our lives. May you RIP my dear friend.
Carolyn Frisk
October 2, 2019
Bette. I have no words. You were my best friend, my roommate, my co worker, my partner in crime! So many memories from back in the North Garden days we always think we have more time, I was sure we would meet for lunch soon! Share pictures and stories of the great times we had. When I read the news I was shocked! Wait!!! What!!?? Nooooo! Not Bette! There must be a mistake!! It can't be Bette! She was so fun and full of life! We are too young to die, too young for funerals! I remember how much you loved the holidays and how excited you were to find out I had lots of decorations for Halloween, only to discover I only had like three candles and a string of lights! Remember Paul would write our voicemail messages!!? if this is dear old Santa Claus with all his Snow White curls, we like to take the chance to say we've been good little girls..... I will miss you forever Bette! May peace find you tonite and forever. Love you!
Kim Lundgren
October 2, 2019
Rip BETTE you were such a good friend when we were growing up til your passing. It really was great to see you an catch up. I will miss you, your loved my dear friend
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