Bettie Pearl Baser

Bettie Pearl (Denton) Baser

January 2, 1930 – March 21, 2024

Bettie Baser passed away in Grandview, Washington on March 21, 2024.   Bettie was a livestock farmer’s daughter, a dairy farmer’s wife, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Mom (grandma) was direct and loving.  She loved her children (Paula, Larry, and J.D.) and she especially loved her grandkids and new great grandbabies. 

In 1930, 4 million people were out of work in America.  Mom was born January 2 of that year during The Great Depression at the family farm near the Shannon-Oregon County line in Missouri.  She said we should never forget her birthday – 1.2.30!  John and Dora (Reese) Denton had dairy cattle (sold milk), hogs, chickens, and other livestock.  They had ten children.  Mom enjoyed playing volleyball at Mountain View High School.  She earned a position on the team as a freshman and would spend the night in town with her teacher during away games.  She graduated from Mountain View High School eventually, moving to Chicago.  Her older sisters Genevieve and Pauline were working there already and the three became roommates in Chicago.  She knew J. Donald (Don) Baser in Missouri.  Don had moved to Washington state in his early teens, served in the United States Army and shortly thereafter found a job at a factory in Chicago where the Denton girls were living.  They were married on December 16, 1950 in Chicago.  Mom and dad were married 70 years.  Dad, rarely called mom Bettie.  It was always “Bet!”  She celebrated her 94th birthday surrounded by family with a crown on her head and a smile. 

Mom was known for her food.  A meal was never complete without gravy, whole milk from the barn, bread, butter, potatoes, and meat.  In her prime – mom was a wonderful cook.  She would can and was not afraid to take care of a butchered deer, birds, a hog, or beef.  Pickles and pickled asparagus will never be as good compared to mom’s.  Pies - chocolate, rhubarb (dad’s favorite), pumpkin, banana crème, and apple.  Christmas meant brownies, chocolate peanut clusters, cakes, cookies, AND peanut brittle.  Bettie’s brittle was legendary.  She made the birthday cakes and cupcakes.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were always served at Bettie’s house.  Family, friends, and guests did not leave hungry and coffee was consumed most of the day. 

Over the years mom worked as a secretary and at canneries in Grandview, but her main job was the bookkeeper for the dairy in Mabton.  Bettie was an excellent bookkeeper and often was complimented on how she kept her records for the dairy, Wanita Grange, and other organizations.  She spent many hours at her desk “doing book work”.  And, that was sometimes a difficult task as a farmer’s wife.  Especially, when farming was really hard (the 1980’s).  Mom was in charge of books, food, and family.

After some time living in Grandview, and later owning property in Green Valley, dad and mom purchased a dairy on Highway 22 in Mabton.  Mom would care for the calves on the dairy along with all three of us kids and dad.  Later, she included the grandkids in calf feeding too.  She ran errands, made sure the household was cared for, and that the kids got to their medical appointments and school.  Mom enjoyed having time to herself to do her work, to work on hobbies, or just think.  The front porch swing was a quiet spot for family discussions or just to sit and look at the fields, the cows, or a good Yakima Valley lightning storm.  The lightning reminded mom and dad of Missouri and they both enjoyed a good storm (as long as the power stayed on so we could still milk the cows!).

Mom is survived by her beloved sister Thelma Williams of West Plains, Missouri and by her three children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Paula and Steve Sainsbury are parents to Chad, Amanda and Joe Ballard, Laura and Jake Merrill (Ruby and Macy), Rebecca and Sam Johnson (Gabriel and Miles), Stephanie and Scott Adams (Emma and Mason).  Larry and Nancy Baser are parents to Christy and Travas Kammerzell (Travas, Halan, and Gavyn), Lyndell and Nick Miller (Charlie, Joey, and Kirby), Tristan Baser (Dillon and Olivia), Amber and Danny Perry (Danny and Meagan), Ashley Suarez (Jocelyn), Kaitlen and Graham Hughes (Scarlett and Evelyn Pearl).  J.D. and Lisa Baser are parents to Jack and Ladd.  Bettie was preceded in death by her husband, Don, parents John Gordan and Dora Marie (Reese) Denton and her siblings:  Elmer, Genevieve Stark, Pauline Koszycki, John, Max, Leahman, Cecil, and an infant brother James Leroy.

A graveside service will be on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Outlook Cemetery in Outlook, WA.  Those wishing to sign Bettie’s online memorial book may do so at the www.funeralhomesmith.com   Smith Funeral Homes in care of arrangements.  

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