Bettie BETZ

BETTIE B. BETZ
What joy abound in the Heavlies as Mom (lovingly known as Grandma and Great Grandma), Bettie B. Betz, rejoins her loving and faithful husband of 54 years, Frederick Betz. It has been 17 years since they were separated, and Mom has tirelessly stood by and supported her family through the joys and heart breaks of life, just as she and Fred once did as a couple. Their greatest shared tragedy was the loss their son, David. At the young age of 21, he suddenly passed on, 90 days after returning from Vietnam, where he had served his country in the Navy. But we know that Mom's joy is exuberant now. For many people-pastors and laymen, men and women-have written books telling of their visits to heaven. They tell of extraordinary colors, sounds and joy in heaven-beyond our understanding and comprehension. What a celebration Mom's passing is!
Her children and many grandchildren return to visit and share joys at the Betz homestead on Freedom Boulevard, which the young couple purchased in 1945 and where they raised their tribe: Fred, George, David, Richard (Dick), Barbara, Lynda and Roger. Because of the loving, sacrificial 24/7 care provided by daughters Barbara and Lynda and granddaughters Jennifer and Diana, along with caregivers and the professional staff of Hospice, Bettie was able to remain in her home until the day of her passing.
Bettie was born in Stockton, California, on January 18, 1920, and entered heaven in her home on November 10, 2010. She was the daughter of George A. Brown, Secretary of the State Hospital in Stockton, and Belle Crispin Brown. Her pioneer family could trace their lineage back to the early settlers of America, including Daniel Boone, Henry Clay, and John Adams. Mom and Dad's legacy began in the early 1930's when Dad, at the young age of 16, left home in Southern California, riding the rails and hitch hiking north, to arrive in Watsonville with 10 cents in his pocket. He landed a job at Floyd Silliman's ranch, eventually operating Floyd's dirt moving equipment. They built the first levy on the Pajaro River for Ed Kelly on the Kelly Thompson Ranch. About that time, he had dinner at Ma Rooney's house, where he met a sweet, quiet, pretty San Jose State College gal. They married June 11, 1941.
In the 50's, Mom and Dad purchased Floyd Silliman's land leveling equipment. Later, dad built the largest earthen dam in the Pajaro Valley on the Jack Hackamack Ranch. Mom would load the kids in the car and take lunch out to Dad at the dam project every day. It was really exciting for the kids to see their dad build that Dam. Number one son Fred took over the business, Betz Paving, and ran it for 30 years from the office and yard on the land behind Mom's house. When Fred retired, brother Roger purchased the business, operating as Betz Construction. After the sudden passing of Mom's "baby", Roger, last August, his sons, Allen and Dennis, took over the business, which continues in operation today. As Den Mother, Mom nurtured Cub scouts, Brownies, and Girl Scouts, teaching life lessons with love and skill in her home, and teaching 4-H animal husbandry, with animals kept in the adjoining pasture. In her younger years, she belonged to the Rainbow and Campfire Girls organizations, and taught many youngsters to swim under the Red Cross program.
Dad also taught life lessons with the care of animals. Fred and George went with him to help feed the drop calves kept at Dad and Mom's red barn on their lake property on Merk Road. The boys looked forward to these trips with Dad, where they also had a lot of fun playing in the hay loft. The Betz children were members of 4-H, and had projects with chickens, lambs, and beef which were raised on their back and side yard acreage. After son George killed, plucked and cleaned his first chicken for his 4-H project, he then killed the rest, but Mom and Aunt Sissy took over the plucking and cleaning. Then she, Dad and Aunt Sissy would help him sell the wrapped chicks to their friends and neighbors…a challenging job when this scenario repeated a few months later.
The Betz home was a safe heaven for all. The children al played until dark-or when Mom would ring the dinner bell. The kids' young playmates would return to their homes, or come into Mom's kitchen for a delicious meal, often prepared with the help of Aunt Sissy. All the family would gather at the large kitchen table for dinner, where there were lively discussions and laughter as they shared the activities of the day. TV was never allowed during dinner-and it was limited to 1 hour each evening. Suddenly or so it seemed to Mom and Dad, the blessing of their children's spouses-and then grandchildren-added to the joy of the meals.
With 7 young children, it was not uncommon to hear Mom say, without raising her voice, "Wait until your father comes home and you tell him what you did." Oh, that was bad news! Sometime, as the kids got older, they would have to go out to the hedge and cut their own switches. Mom didn't raise no dummies-they learned pretty fast to tow the line and avoid the switch!
Mom was a long-time member of the Caytano Club, the Pajaroamer Club, and Rock-Houndson- Wheels R.V. Club, and the Watsonville Band Boosters Club, traveling extensively with the Band. Bettie and Fred loved to travel, once taking along the 3 younger kids, Barbara, Lynda and Roger, for a trip around the United States. The 4 older boys, who were in high school at the time, stayed at home alone. They have toured every state in the Union, Canada, Mexico, Europe and the Orient as well. When Mom decided to stop driving at the age of 88 (thank God) :, her friend, Marie Pimentel, continued her daily trips, driving Bettie around the Valley and into other parts of Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. Family friend and teacher par excellent Elaine Price stayed with Mom, renting the boys' bedroom upstairs for the last 14 years of Mom's life.
Mom's back door was always swinging open to the 16 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Her kids' weekly visits-often, with spouseswas George on Monday, Fred on Tuesday, Dick on Wednesday and Roger on Thursday. Her daughter's who live out of town, would visit monthly, often taking her home with them for a week. She would always walk out to the front porch and wave good bye to the kids, no matter how many visits they made. "When will I see you again?" she would ask.
The annual family dinner, which started after Dad's passing, was held this year on Mom's 90th birthday. Stories and memories were shared, and Mom was loved by everyone. Each had a story to share, including memories of the annual closing up of the Watsonville Y's Camp Kilburn on Labor Day weekend. This 25-year tradition always included 5 other families. Bonding between kids and parents was the best at the Y camp closing. Trying to their dads into the swimming pool became easier as the kids grew older and wiser. Another shared memory was going down to Taylor's hot dogs (they only cost 25 cents) after a Sunday ride in the mountains. Mom and Dad only took one of the kids at a time, so that was a special outing.
Bettie is survived by her children, Fred Betz III, George (Marilyn) Betz, Dick (Shellie) Betz, Barbara (David) Allen, Lynda Powell, and son Roger's widow, Arleen Betz. Grandchildren include David (Rachel) Betz, Ginger Betz, Cathy (Mike) Moon, Ryan (Jessica) Betz, Tiffany Dell, Rick (Christine) Betz, Eric (Beth) Betz, Aimee Betz, James (Marianna) Van Unen, Jennifer Zerwick, Michael Powell, Allan James (Diana) Betz, Dennis (Gail) Betz, Colleen (Mike) Elliott, Sandra (Matt) Kooyers, and Crystal (Jason) Silveira. Her 25 great grandchildren include Zoe and Abigail Betz, Noah and Elliott Moon, Eldon Betz, Bailey and Emily Betz, Stephen, Corey, Victoria and Briana Betz, Haidyn and Elijah Van Unen, Joshua Zerwick, Ariel, Luke and Rebecca Betz, Johnny, Jacob and Scarlett Betz, Matthew and Mikayla Elliott, Denise Kooyers, and Tristin and Genevieve Silveira.
The funeral plans for Wednesday November 17th at 1 pm at Davis Memorial Chapel at 609 Main Street in Watsonville is handling the arrangements. (831) 724- 4751. The funeral service will be officiated by Bettie's grandson, Pastor Allen Betz. Donatios of remembrance may be made to Hospice, Watsonville Salvation Army, or the Watsonville YMCA.
A last thought about Mom: She was a great example of the old adage, "Beside (not behind) every successful man stands a woman". AND MOM WAS DAD'S WOMAN! We will really miss our mother.