Betty Grenz

Our beloved mom, grandmother and great grandmother, Betty Grenz, 95, passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on Sunday morning, March 9, in Sunnyside, WA.  

Mom was born on July 31, 1929, in Stickney, South Dakota and moved with her parents and large family to the Yakima Valley in 1938.

On October 29, 1948, she married our dad, Harold Grenz, from Zillah, WA, and together they made their home near Zillah, where they raised us 3 children. 

She is survived by her two sons, James (Kay) of Mount Vernon, WA, Larry (Carole) of Lake Havasu City, AZ, and daughter Doris Gill (Don) of Sunnyside, WA; one sister, Alice Hoogstrate, of Denver, CO, 3 brothers, William Van Corbach, of Elizabethtown, KY, Everett Van Corbach, of Prosser, WA, Ben Van Corbach, of Yakima, WA, 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Elizabeth Van Corbach, her husband, Harold, one son, Calvin, one grandson, Jason Grenz, 7 brothers Dick, John, Joe, Henry, Jim, Marion, and Cornie Van Corbach, and 2 sisters, Marie McClusky and Bertha Van Corbach.

Mom was a stay-at-home mother, where she enjoyed raising us three children.  For twenty years, we lived on a small ranch on East Zillah Drive, and mom often picked the peaches that dad would peddle door to door after he came home from work from his job at Marathon in Sunnyside.  When we kids were all old enough to be in school, she would pick grapes for the neighbors to earn a little extra spending money from which each year she would purchase one special need for her home.  A new Hi-Fi stereo one year, bunk beds for us boys, a new sewing machine, a portable dishwasher were just a few of her purchases.  She also worked at home for the Granger Bait Company for many years where she tied countless dozens of flies for the many different lures that Granger Bait sold.

Her hobbies included daily crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, needle point, gardening, reading many books, including her Bible and Daily Bread devotional, watching Mariner’s game, playing Canasta and many other games with family members and friends.  She also enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends.

Mom loved canning and baking.  Our family’s favorites were her famous apple squares and blueberry rhubarb jam – with one secret ingredient she hid from her family for years. 

She was an avid seamstress during her children’s early years and constructed many a quilt.  Often, she entered her quilt artwork at the Central Washington Fair, where she received numerous ribbons.  Mom and dad spent much of their lives in various community volunteer capacities together, especially after selling the farm after 20 years and moving into Zillah for their retirement years. They received several Certificates of Appreciation and recognition for their volunteer work.

Mom and dad moved to Sunnyside in 2016 and dad passed away the following year. Mom had to adjust to living alone for the balance of her days.  Mom’s last 2 years were spent at Sunnyside Assisted Living where she was quick to make new friends and graciously dealt with the numerous health issues she faced until her final days here on earth.

Mom was a member of Zillah’s Faith Community Church (formerly known as Zillah Christian Reformed Church) for nearly 85 years.

Special thanks to the staff at Sunnyside Assisted Living for their special care and friendship to mom while living there.  And to daughter Doris for her extraordinary and undying love and care for our mother, and to grandson, Nate, for consistent time spent with his grandma Grenz in her waning years and days, watching Mariners games together, sharing Jack in the Box meals and tending to other little needs as well.

Instead of flowers, mom’s request was that any memorials be given to Faith Community Church and the Sunnyside Christian School.

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother will be greatly, greatly missed.  She loved her Lord dearly and we are confident she has risen to live a new life with Him in her forever home.

 Private Family Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.  at the Zillah Cemetery, Zillah, Washington.  A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM, at the Faith Community Church, 300 W. Centennial Drive, Zillah.  A gathering will follow at the Zillah Civic Center, 119 First Avenue, Zillah.  Those wishing to sign Betty's online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com  Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. 

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