Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Warnick

Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Warnick, 100

Elizabeth Mary "Betty" (Vickerman) Warnick, 100 years old, passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, November 27, 2025 surrounded by her family. Betty was the beloved matriarch of the Warnick family to her seven children, children-in-laws, foster children, many grandchildren, grand nieces and grand nephews, great grandchildren, friends and community members.

Betty was born on January 18, 1925 in the small town of Harrold, South Dakota. She was the second oldest of five children and the only girl in a ranching and farming family. Betty went to a one room schoolhouse with 15 kids and as she described it, three bullies. Maybe this is where she began to develop her sharp wit and wonderful communication skills. She also grew her independence and daring spirit there as a young girl, riding bareback on her horse, Patty, for miles across the big, wide fields and prairie all by herself; strong and adventurous.

After graduating from Cathedral Catholic High School in Rapid City at age 17, Betty worked as a telephone operator. Two years later she headed West for Hanford, Washington. It was 1944 and the war effort was on. She provided much needed office help, but hoped for more. Betty had always yearned to fly and soon began taking flying lessons. If the war had continued, she would have joined the Women's Airforce Service pilots. She later moved to Yakima and began work at Central Aircraft, where she met her husband Hugh, who was also learning to fly. Our remarkable matriarch learned to fly an airplane before she learned to drive a car.

In June of 1946, Hugh and Betty were married back in Rapid City. They returned to WA state, living on the Warnick family dude, guest, and farming ranch in the Wenas Valley, 30 miles outside of Yakima, WA. They operated the ranch with his brother and when times got tight, they decided ownership of the ranch at the flip of a coin. Losing the toss, Betty and Hugh ended up in Moses Lake and had a business opportunity to start Central Bonded Collectors in 1954. Betty was an active partner with Hugh in the business, and they had many successful decades. Oldest son, Roy, joined the business in 1970 and together with his wife, Judy, eventually took over the business and operated it until 2025.

After several years living in town, Hugh and Betty began looking for farmland as they missed country life. By this point the family was growing and life was very busy. But they had a vision to recreate some of what they loved and missed from the Wenas Ranch. They bought a farm and acreage, eventually recreating a ranch style home with the pond, summer parties and hayrides, alfalfa hay farming, an orchard, 4H animals and of course a big garden. Betty was a certified Master Gardener and known for her

magnificent roses, and abundant vegetables. She maintained her cherished garden right up to the very end.

Beyond her dedication to and love for her family, Betty was an active community member. For example, she held office in Women's Rotary, was the first president of Lakeview Terrace Elementary PTA, Cub Scout den mother, 4H leader, and active member at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church where she belonged for over 70 years.

Preceded in death by husband, Hugh Warnick, son Joseph Warnick, grandson-in-law Trevor Tibbs, son-in-law Thomas Shelby and great granddaughter, Emma Mae Hamsher.

Betty is survived by her son Roy (& Judy) of Moses Lake, son Dale (& Karen) of Bellevue, daughter Taelor of Moses Lake, son David (& Diane) of Driggs, ID, daughter Lorray Shelby of Moses Lake, daughter Mitja Stansfield (& Tom) of Bellevue, foster daughter Carmen and foster son Ramon Castellanos of Florida, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Betty left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Her legacy is left to the countless people she impacted through the generous, positive, adventurous and guiding light that she was. We will forever remember our Mom, Grandma, Grandma Great, our Queen, especially as she left us on Thanksgiving Day. Even in her passing from an extraordinary life well lived, she's guiding us still.

Services will be held Tuesday, December 9th as follows: Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 200 N Dale Rd, Moses Lake: 9 am- Viewing, 10 am- Rosary and 10:30 am- Mass. Burial immediately following at Guarding Angels Cemetery, Moses Lake. Then a luncheon will follow to be held at the Fatima Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in Betty's memory to either of 2 of her favorite organizations: Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake https://olf.church or the Grant County Master Gardeners https://extension.wsu.edu/grant/gardening/master_gardeners/

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.