Elizabeth “Betty” (Wetsch) Benton a beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt & friend to all passed away July 5, 2021, at the Hospice House in Spokane, Washington after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Betty was the fourth of five siblings and the only daughter. She was born October 30, 1949, in New Salem, North Dakota to John and Ida (Steckler) Wetsch. She eventually moved to and attended school in Mount Vernon, WA where she graduated in 1968. The same year, she married Thomas “Tom” Clark Benton. They lived a short time in Burlington, WA and eventually made their home in Rockport, WA where they raised their two sons, Timothy “Tim” Clark Benton and Michael “Mike” Thomas Benton.
Betty completed Beauty School in Mount Vernon and began her working career as a hairdresser. She opened up her own shop in Rockport which was adjacent to the Post Office. She became friends with the Postmaster, Florence Pressentin who talked her into taking the Civil Service Exam. This led to her career in the Postal Service which advanced from part time rural delivery to Postmaster. She retired as Postmaster of Edwall, WA. Betty was a constant researcher, which led to her being skilled in sewing, quilting, cooking, baking, gardening and canning. She could make any space feel like home. She will be remembered as having the best dill pickles and pie crust ever. She was an eternal optimist and could maintain this positivity in any situation.
Betty is survived by her husband, Tom Benton; sons, Tim Benton and Mike Benton; brothers, Don Wetsch and Mike Wetsch; brother-in-law, Abb Benton; numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents along with her brothers, Tom Wetsch and Tony Wetsch.
A Graveside Service will be held at Forest Park Cemetery, Concrete, WA at 11:00, Friday, July 16, 2021, Pastor Bruce Martin presiding, followed up by a gathering for food and stories of Betty at the Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport at 12:30.
Please email any photos of Betty that you’d like to share to mikebenton34@gmail.com.
Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Please take time to share your memories of Betty and sign the online guest register.
Dear Tom,
I met you, Betty and some of your family when I attended the von Pressentin Family Reunion some years ago now. I remember Betty well and have some nice photos of you and her taken at this time. I was very sorry to hear of her passing and Lea v. Pressentin has written to me about her. The family reunion in Germany planned for 2020 has had to be postponed to 2022 but we will remember Betty in the prayer at the family chapel in Prestin.
As you will read, Pierre von Pressentin asked me to pass on the formal condolences for the Family Association. Now I wish to add my personal sympathy to you and your sons.
Sincerely
Friedrich-Franz von Pressentin
On behalf of Pierre von Pressentin, Chairman of the von Pressentin Association (Familienverband) I offer my deeperst sympathie to you on the passing of “Betty”.
Sincerely Friedrich-Franz von Pressentin “former Chairman”.
From the day she arrived, Betty fit into the community perfectly. She was always cheerful, and she served the community’s post office with a smile and a ready laugh. I admired her energy and drive to try new things, from recipes to crafts. She also gathered great tips to make our lives easier or better. She was right about a water pick and many other things. It doesn’t feel right to look out the window to realize she is really gone. She leaves a big hole behind in my heart. I am sure she will be watching over us, so when you are struck with a sudden inspiration to try something new or creative, thank Betty
I am so sorry for your loss she will be missed but never forgotten she will be in my prayers
Betty was a true friend and an inspiration. Her genuine love for others was evident to all. She was one of the most generous and talented people I know! I treasure each of the thoughtful and beautiful gifts she made and gave. She perfected the pickle canning recipe and process – I have never tasted anything better than Betty’s pickles! I am blessed to have known her and am so thankful for her friendship. Her smile and kindness was contagious. Even throughout her valiant fight against cancer, her attitude, positive outlook, and concern for others was inspiring. Betty exemplified the way I want to live my life.
Oh how she loved you Tom, Tim and Mike, and the rest of the family as well! She lived life well. Her memory, example, and spirit lives on through those whose lives she touched. Betty was greatly loved and will be deeply missed!
I met Betty in 2018 at a vacation in Cabo San Lucas. I knew immediately that she was a wonderful human being and someone I would be proud to call a friend. She was always smiling and laughing. I, too, was a proud recipient of a jar of her wonderful pickles. Love you Betty.
Betty, I didn’t get the chance to know you but the short visits with you were so sweet. You had such a kind heart & made me feel like you’ve known me for years. I will miss your warm smile. Bless you beautiful Angel 😇❤️🙏
Rene
While echoing the memories of kindness, thoughtfulness and good cooking, thinking of one particular Betty story makes me laugh, it expresses her spunkiness and self-confidence so well . . . it was after 10pm on a weeknight, I stopped at the Edwall Post Office on my way home from a meeting. There was a strange intermittent beeping noise from the back behind the boxes, and I decided I’d best get our Postmaster to check on it. I knocked on her door and explained the problem and she immediately grabbed her keys and joined me to drive over and check it out, still dressed in a short pink housecoat and ready for bed. It wasn’t until she’d identified and disabled the offending alarm and we were headed back to her house that she confessed to having stuck her pistol in her pocket before she opened the door, just in case.
Never mess with a determined postmaster! All of us at WIA will miss you greatly. Love to Tom and the boys 🙂
Betty was such a sweet woman! She made whomever she talked with feel special as she showed a genuine interest in their life. We will miss her hearty laugh and joyful spirit at our Edwall Women In Action meetings! Praying for strength for Tom and their boys!
A beauty of a person. Betty is one of the kindest and talented ladies ever! A true joy to be around. She shared so many things and thoughts with others. Full of wisdom and laughter. She will be missed. My prayers to the family.
What a delightful lady! I am so privileged to have known Betty the last 4 years. She was such a jewel, kind and optimistic, even through incredible physical trials. I will always remember having wonderful visits with her at the Edwall Women in Action group ❤️ May God give comfort to those she loved and left behind.
Betty was the very best in everything she did! She was very kind, a great listener, and such a community minded friend. We will all miss her , but are so much richer for having known her.
Bill and Janet Stromberger
Betty was one of the kindest people I have ever known. She was always doing for others and seemed to always know just what you needed. She and Tom were such amazing friends and neighbors in Edwall. To say she will be missed is an understatement, her sweet nature and sense of humor will be something I always remember. I honestly don’t think I ever saw her without a smile on her face. I used to refer to her as Doctor Betty because she helped me with so many different ailments that she had also gone through. Heaven has truly received an angel and I shall miss her terribly. My deepest sympathies to Tom and her boys, how she loved you all.
Betty was such a joy to know! She was the unofficial “Welcome Wagon” lady for the town of Edwall, friendly, interested and helpful to anyone she encountered. Her smile lit up her face and it always lifted your spirits to talk with her. She loved Tom and her family dearly and was torn between living in the small town she enjoyed or closer to her boys. What a valiant fight she put up against her cancer! We will miss her greatly.
I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
It was my pleasure to get to Know Momma Benton the past 5 years, very kind Lady!
the day Mike shared some pickles with me I showed up with 20 pounds of salmon filets to trade her for just one jar of the famous Momma Benton pickles.
Real neat Lady and it was all my pleasure to get to meet and know her.
Brandt