Betty Chambers

Betty Chambers, 92 years young, passed peacefully from this world on June 27, 2013 at Emerald Care in Wapato, WA. The first of five children of Sivert Olson and Ora McCorkle Olson, Betty was born at home on May 16, 1921 in Wapato. She leaves a hole in the hearts of her extended family as she was such a classy, happy, gracious lady. Betty grew up in Wapato. After graduating from Wapato High School, she met the enduring love of her life, Merle (Pop) Chambers. They were married on December 16, 1939 at Yakima Methodist Church. They enjoyed 58 years of truly wedded bliss as they were both loving, caring people that found the perfect partner. Betty enjoyed many years of worship and service at the Wapato Presbyterian Church, serving as both a deacon and an elder. Over the years Betty held many jobs working in the clothing business. She worked for the Smart Shop in Wapato; J.C. Penny’s in Toppenish and at The Bon Marche in downtown Yakima. She was a gracious face to the many family members and friends that would stop in to get Betty’s help with their clothing choices. She also worked in agriculture, tying up hops as well as picking fruit, which she did every year to earn extra money to buy her sons’ school clothes. Betty and Pop had two sons, Mike and Mark. Every weekend, as soon as school was out, they would travel to their cabin at Rimrock to enjoy their family time. Every 4th of July holiday they would head to the beach. Pop and Betty were devoted dancers and loved to spend weekends dancing the night away with each other. Betty especially enjoyed the Sunday drives she and Pop took with her mother and sister Barbara to ‘see the leaves,’ finishing the day up with dinners at Whistling Jack’s. She loved attending the Sun Kings basketball games with her friend Lucy Winder. She never met a casino she didn’t like, and loved to enjoy spending a day at Legends with her sister Gerri. Betty was a class act from head to toe. She loved clothes and always looked fantastic and fresh. Betty had a kind, positive word for any and everyone, as well as a ready smile and a sweet, endearing chuckle. She loved to laugh. Betty enjoyed bowling for many years, serving as the league secretary. When she wasn’t bowling herself, she was following Pop around to his many league games and tournaments. Betty also enjoyed fussing with her houseplants, working to make them thrive. She stayed busy with crochet, needle point, knitting and cross-stitching. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Sivert and Ora Olson; her husband Pop (in 1997); by her sisters Barbara Huss and Mary Kwak; by her brother Don Olson. She is survived by her two sons: Mike (Maria) Chambers and Mark (Franses) Chambers; by her six grandchildren: Gregory (Becky) Chambers; Marty Chambers; Tracey (Paul) Bishop; Kim (Mike) Osborne; Jake (Jenn) Chambers; Scott (Jen) Chambers as well as 10 great grandchildren;her sister Gerri (Bruce) Geffe; her former daughter-in-law Carolyn Chambers Corning, as well as many nieces and nephews and brother-in-law Wilbur Kwak. Services for Betty will be Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Harrah Grace Brethren Church in Harrah, WA. Interment will be at the Reservation Community Memorial Park on W. Wapato Rd., with a reception following at Harrah Grace Brethren Church. If desired, or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Union Gospel Mission of Yakima. Due to extreme weather, the family encourages you to dress comfortably. Share your memories of Betty at www.valleyhillsfh.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty Chambers, please visit our flower store.