Betty Louise Christiansen of Hermiston died on June 12, 2024 in Hermiston at the age of 93.
She was born on Dec. 3, 1930 in Ainsworth, Neb. one of nine children to John and Ruth Smith.
At a young age, before she graduated from high school, Betty traveled to Illinois to live with her grandparents. Traveling by train had to have been a great experience for such a young woman. It was just short of 700 miles to get there.
After staying with her grandparents for some time, she then traveled to Texas in the 1950s to pursue a singing career with two of her sisters. When in Kingsville, Texas she met a handsome Navy man by the name of Charles Christiansen. Chuck and Betty were inseparable and were married in Texas in 1954.
Chuck and Betty moved to Reno, Nev. to join the rest of their family and soon had daughter, Joni. Daughter, Debbie and son, David were also born in Reno. Chuck and his father Carl worked for Western Cigar Company, keeping the casinos well stocked. Betty worked at Kresge’s (later known as Kmart). Betty had several bookkeeping tasks and impressed her boss with her good work ethic. Later she worked at a stationery store.
The kids have memories of riding their horses to the local 7-Eleven and eating at McDonald’s after Mom got her paycheck on Fridays. Weekend outings barrel racing for Debbie at Horseman’s Park are a favorite memory. They all enjoyed spending time with all the family members that lived in the Reno area. With many family gatherings and barbeques, there are several stories that have been told.
While they loved living in Reno, it had grown so large they decided to relocate in 1970 to Irrigon. This is where Joni graduated from high school. In 1975, another move was made to Hermiston. Debbie and David graduated from Hermiston High School. Chuck worked at the Umatilla Army Depot until 1979. He also worked at Sherrell Chevrolet and then Myrick Chrysler/Dodge until retiring in 1994. Betty was a homemaker.
They moved together one last time to John Day in 1997. Chuck helped his daughter with deliveries from her floral shop and Betty occasionally spent time helping with floral arranging for Joni. They enjoyed time with their granddaughter and her four children. Eating dinners of spaghetti that Sheri had made was a favorite weekend treat.
Chuck passed in the fall of 2017 and Betty moved back to Hermiston and resided at Guardian Angel Homes until her passing on June 12 this year.
Betty is survived by her son, David Christiansen (Kari), Hermiston; daughters, Joni Bebb, John Day and Debbie Christiansen, Hermiston; six grandchildren, Tyler, Carter, Brady, Sheri, Brian and Amy; 13 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Daniel Christiansen (Lila), Redmond; sister, Donna Hess, Reno, Nev.; brother, Sam Smith, Reno, Nev.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Chuck; sisters, Zelma Glascow, Ethel Wines and Dottie Cunningham; brothers, Gary, Johnny and Larry Smith; and a son-in-law, Rick Partlow.
Some fun facts about Chuck and Betty:
They liked to dance and sing. They had a favorite song, it was Old Danny Boy; Betty would sing it to Chuck.
They were avid pinocle players. Usually, they could be found on a Friday night at Joanne and Curly’s house in Hermiston playing against Short and Marge Christiansen. Absolutely no cheating was happening with the ladies, but the men were questionable!
Betty loved her flower garden; she could grow beautiful roses.
Betty read the Bible five times and loved sharing her knowledge of Jesus.
Both Chuck and Betty loved DQ ice cream and Friday night pizza from Ye Olde Pizza Shoppe – light on the sauce and well done.
They both had beautiful smiles.
They will be missed by all.
Services for Betty and Chuck Christiansen were held on Friday, June 21, 2024 at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Special thank you to Savannah and Kayla for the amazing love and care for Betty at Guardian Angel, along with all the other care givers there, also to Melissa at Vange John Memorial Hospice. We cannot thank you enough for your compassion.
Please donate to your favorite organization or to Vange John Memorial Hospice Education Fund at 645 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston, Ore. in Betty and Chuck’s memory.
Please share memories of Betty with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
