Betty L. Mikesell

Sign Guest Book

Betty Mikesell, age 83, died Tuesday afternoon, November 20. In her words, "she lived a good life."
 

Betty Lucille Rood was born June 2, 1924 on a wheat ranch near John Day, Oregon to Cora Helen and Walter Rood. Her childhood school days were spent at Hermiston and Heppner, Oregon. She graduated from Heppner High School in May of 1942. During those "school days" she was active in declamatory contests, grange dances and the school plays. After high school Betty traveled to Seattle to live with her brother Orville where she went to work at The Bremerton Naval shipyard. She was employed by the Food Co-op filling coke and candy machines and did some cashiering on a cafeteria train that went out on the docks with food for the sailors at lunch. Later she transferred to the electric shop where she was secretary to the leadingman. While working at the naval yard Betty ended up riding on the same ferry as a sailor stationed there, Marshall Mikesell. They met and later married on May 26, 1944. After the war, Marshall and Betty moved to Eau Claire with their first born, Marshall Jr. and she became a loving wife and homemaker for 60 years.

  
Betty was active with her children's lives leading their Cub Scout packs and brownie troops. If her children or grandchildren were active in things, then she was there lending a hand or supporting them however she could. She taught a 2 year old Children's Sunday School class at First Baptist Church for many years. Betty spent much of her leisure time sewing, baking and reading. She gave back to her community by doing volunteer work with the hospital auxiliary and Meals on Wheels.
 
She is survived by: her four children, Marshall, Jr. of Eau Claire, Darlene Hinton, of Eugene, Oregon, Maryann (John) Ellis of Eau Claire, and Shirley (Peter) Rockwell of Madison; her nine grandchildren, Sandra Mikesell, Steven (Lori) Hinton, Janet (Bill) Bauer, Ty (Kim) Ellis, Cynthia Hinton, Troy (Julie) Ellis, Brian Mikesell, John Rockwell, and O'Daniel Rockwell; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Charlene (Harry) Collins and Marjorie (Ron) Cummings; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dell Larson, Kenneth (Elaine) Mikesell, Norman (Roberta) Mikesell, Clara (Doug) Miller, Audrey Mikesell and June Mikesell; and many nieces and nephews.
 
She is preceded in death by: her parents; her husband of 60 years; daughter-in-law, Brenda Mikesell; great-grandson, Christian Bauer; brothers, Orville, Gerald, Louis and Ray; sisters-in-law, Mickey, Betty Jean and Betty Lee; brothers-in-law, LaVerne Mikesell and George Mikesell, Jr.
Her children would like to acknowledge with a grateful heart all the people who cared for Betty: Dr. Julia Kyle, and Carol Strunc for the compassion they showed our mother.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you make a memorial to a children's charity of your choice.
 
She will be remembered by us all for the great meals that came out of her Irish kitchen, her songs, her fun spirit, and her generous heart.
 
Services for Betty will be on Sunday, November 25 at 3:00 p.m. at Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire with Pastor Duane Winterberg officiating. A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 24 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and again on Sunday an hour prior to services. Burial will be at Rest Haven Cemetery.
 
Family and friends may send condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com.
 
Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.