Betty Jean Bergevin

Born May 22, 1927, to Raymond Benjamin and Ethyl May Padgett Rogers in Olympia, Washington. She resided in Elma, Washington, until moving to Walla Walla in 1934. Betty graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1946. After high school, Pacific Bell Telephone in Walla Walla employed Betty until her marriage to Claro E. Bergevin on February 23, 1947.

In their 70 years of marriage, Betty and Claro raised their five children on their century farm at Frenchtown near Lowden. Betty was a homemaker and cooked for harvest crews for many years. She was very active in her children’s baseball, 4-H and various other activities. Claro and Betty moved to Walla Walla in 1975, having turned over the farming to their son Terry. They traveled extensively and visited 48 of the 50 states. They also spent many summers on Puget Sound vacationing with her cousin Chuck Quinn on his yacht.

Betty enjoyed her Birthday Lunch Group and valued her many friendships with fond memories. She was also an avid Mariner’s baseball fan. Betty volunteered at the Southeastern Washington Fair, St. Mary’s Medical Center and Meals on Wheels. She is also a past member of the Frenchtown Recreation Club, Lowden Study Club, Catholic Daughters of America and Assumption Catholic Church. Betty is survived by her husband Claro; five children and their spouses, Terry (Marilyn) Bergevin of Walla Walla, Karen (Charles) Zohner of Tollgate, Oregon, Michael (Annette) Bergevin of Waitsburg, Debbie Beal (Rudi Thomas) of Walla Walla, and David (Jeanne) Bergevin of Walla Walla; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, and one on the way. Betty was proceeded in death by her parents; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Norman Harris of Elma, Washington; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild; as well as her beloved cousins.

Betty’s family revere her as a woman who managed a strong and loving husband, strong and loving children, herds of cattle and horses, and hungry crew men at chow time always with a smile on her face, a sparkle of mischief in her eye, and a cocktail raised in hand with friends and family. She worked hard, loved hard, and played hard. She was our matriarch and her spirit lives on in all who loved her. Viewing and visitation will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2017, from 11 a.m. until after the Rosary at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The recitation of the Rosary will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2017, at the Chapel of the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home with Sister Helen Mason, officiating. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017, at 10 a.m. at the Chapel of the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home with Father Matthew Nicks, Officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Walla Walla Community Hospice, or a charity of the donor’s choice through the funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362 Friends and Family are invited to sign the online guest book at www.herringgroseclose.com