Betty J Langdell

July 6, 1930 - January 2, 2021

Betty passed away on New Year's Day with her children by her side. Betty was born in her grandmother's home outside Bloomington, (Franklin County), Nebraska, to Hazel (McNealy) and Jess Gage. During the "Dustbowl," the family moved to Tieton, Washington when mom was 8 to run an orchard for the Dakota family, crop-sharing. When mom was 15, working at the Tieton Theater, she met the man of her dreams, our dad, who had just returned from serving in WWII. Once she turned 16, with her parent's blessing, she married dad and they left for California. Missing home, it wasn't long before they relocated to Richland where dad started as a Hanford patrolman and mom was a homemaker in a 16-ft trailer in the Hanford camp, eventually getting a pre-fab then, through the generosity of their friends, Eugenia and Ray Edmerson, who traded with them, a spacious 1,000 sf rambler! First Bradley then Margo joined the family in the early 50s. In the late 50s, they began building their dream home on the Snake River looking across at Strawberry Island. They enjoyed the river, fishing, skiing, living life with their best friends and neighbors, the Mattice's. Mom was an awesome Bluebird and Campfire leader, active in Boy and Cub Scouts and all her children's activities. Mom stayed home with her children until she and dad bought the Burbank Tavern where she cooked and served food (even out the back door for kids as choices in Burbank were slim) and learned to bartend. Later, mom and her best friend, Sophie, worked at Pischel's Yearbook Publishing where she became a lead person and valued employee. Both mom and dad retired early and spent many years traveling the world, hiking, fishing, crabbing and shrimping. They headed south each winter for over 30 years spending time in Vegas, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Mexico, visiting friends then serving as camp hosts at Seal Rock Park on Hood Canal each summer, which mom really loved. Mom could do anything! Always caught the first fish, found the most clams, crabs and oysters, and she was The Best Cook ever, could sew anything, crochet the world and knit a wardrobe. I think nearly every friend has something she made for them. We will all remember her apple pies and beautiful smile. She was simply the best mom ever, and will be forever in our hearts. She served many a breakfast at the Burbank Grange (they will miss her biscuits and gravy), registered voters and worked the elections for decades, and was the Burbank Food Bank representative, dedicating many hours to each endeavor. She was also a lifelong Grange member and American Legion Auxiliary member. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, sister Thelma Lambert, and her husband of 72 years, Gene. She is survived by her son, Bradley Langdell and his wife, Janie; her daughter, Margo and her husband, Mike Hines; four grandchildren: Richard (wife, Lisa) and Jess Langdell, Patrick and Meagan Hines. She had three great-grandchildren: Devin and Samantha Langdell and Aiden Hines, who lovingly called her "Boop" which she held dear. She also leaves behind her niece, Sharon Lunceford and her son Todd. Due to this horrible virus, there will be no public services. Please just remember her kindly and say a prayer for peace and no more worries. Donations in her memory may be made to Chaplaincy Hospice/Health Care at chaplaincyhealthcare.com or 1480 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 99352