Betty Jane Clifford

Longtime Siskiyou County resident, Betty Jane Clifford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 27, 2026 at her Yreka home. She was 91 years old. Betty was born Betty Jane Richert on February 17, 1935 to Roland and Alice (Roettger) Richert in Baytown, Minnesota. She had two older sisters, Alice and Florence. When Betty was five years old, they moved to California. Roland got a job with with Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica as a lead carpenter. Their first home in Santa Monica was featured in Better Homes & Garden magazine. Betty attended Machado School, where she played drums and piano. She then graduated from Venice High School, class of 1953. In January of 1955, Betty married Ralph Bernard Kimball, and the couple had three sons: Craig, Scott, and Brett. Ralph passed away on October 14, 1965, leaving a large void in their lives. Betty married W.H. “Cliff” Clifford, and after Cliff’s passing in the fall of 1993, Betty moved to Yreka to be closer to her sons. She worked for nearly 30 years as a book keeper for a variety of businesses and locations in Siskiyou County. Betty was a traveler with an adventurous soul. She enjoyed traveling internationally to destinations such as Mexico, Hong Kong, and Singapore; as well as domestically, often to the East Coast. She traveled a lot with one of her companions, Marvin Seal, regularly from New Mexico all the way to Canada. Betty’s crowning achievement was visiting all 50 states, which she completed in her 80’s. As the story goes, Betty had one state left on her list: North Dakota. Her and her friend, Jean Ling, started out in Dunsmuir on an early morning train. However, the train had problems shortly thereafter, and the two were transferred to a bus for a time before getting placed on a new train. By the time they reached North Dakota – they were totally done with trains; they booked two airline tickets home! Quite the adventure for two ladies in their 80’s! Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Alice; her siblings, Alice and Florence; her husbands, Ralph and Cliff. Betty is survived by her three children: Craig (Cindy) Kimball, Scott (Julie) Kimball, and Brett (Janine) Kimball; grandchildren: Sarah Mitrovich (Ben), Anna Kimball (Jerry), Erika Salvestro (Travis), Wade Kimball (Amanda), Gage Kimball (Karri), Keshia Hall (Chris) , Kalina Hoffmann (Jeff), and Joseph Betts (Alaina); she is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren! At this time, no services are scheduled for Betty. Services will be held in the hearts and minds of those who knew, loved & cared for her. She will be laid to rest next to Ralph in Evergreen Cemetery. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Betty Jane Clifford

February 17, 1935 - June 27, 2026