Doris Wohlfert Betts

Doris Marie Wohlfert Betts passed away peacefully just before sunrise on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Madrone Hospice, five days short of her 97th birthday. She had fallen Monday at her home at Brookdale Senior Living, fracturing her back among other injuries. She was born in Hood River, Ore. on November 24, 1919, the first daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick W. Wohlfert. Her father died of an appendectomy when she was seven years old. Doris, her mother Mamie and two sisters, Blanche and Alice, went to live with Grandmother Alice Norton in Yreka. Doris graduated from Yreka Elementary and Yreka High School and Don Lux Beauty Academy in San Francisco in 1938. She married George Ernest Betts on April 12, 1941. Their daughter, Barbara, was born in Yreka on March 8, 1942 in Yreka and the family rented, and then bought, two of the Betts’ family farms north of Montague. They raised grain, alfalfa, hogs and cattle. Her beloved husband died 52 ½ years later and Doris finally moved back to Yreka. She loved ranch life, taking the little ones wildflower picking in the hills and helping Ernest in the corrals with the cattle and hogs. She wasn’t afraid of a hog but learned fast to climb the fence with the cattle. She also loved her profession as a bookkeeper in Yreka, her many memberships in clubs and organizations, hobbies of arts and crafts and volunteer works. She attended many COS classes and was a charter member of the COS Scholarship Committee. With friends, she edited the 1985 and 1994 “The Siskiyou Pioneer”. She wrote and had printed a little story, “Foxy”, about one of Trevor’s little pigeons. She had a life-time love of genealogy and playing Pinochle with her friends. She hosted “Thursday morning coffee” for neighboring ladies for many years at the ranch. Two of her great-granddaughters are athletes and Doris and Barbara spent many after-school years watching Kailee Mick and Sierra Skeen play baseball, basketball and volleyball. The two younger girls, Cerina Mick and Tristen Skeen also play ball but are more into academics. Her great grandson, Trevor Skeen, was always there for her, at the ranch and in town, ready to take her shopping, etc. He attended COS and is now a Chef and CNA. She leaves her daughter, Barbara, and son-in-law, Larry Lee of Montague, formerly of Weed; her grand-daughters, Lori Heie and her husband, Todd Heie of Lake Shastina and Lisa Lee-Mick and her husband, Jon D. Mick of Spokane, Wash.; her five cherished great grandkids (they kept her mind sharp), Trevor Skeen and Jose, Kailee Mick, Sierra Skeen and Katie, Cerina Mick and Tristen Skeen. She also leaves her nephews, Jim and Larry Betts and Fred Schantz and their families and her extended families, Charles and Suzie Skeen, Todd’s daughters, Autumn and Sierra and their families. She also leaves eleven first cousins. Doris was a L.O.L., driving around town on her scooter. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Girdner Funeral Chapel with Chris Girdner officiating. Burial will be held in the family plot in Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. A barbeque and potluck reception will follow at the Montague Hall in Montague. The family wishes to thank everyone who has touched her life in some way, especially the doctors, nurses and staff at Fairchild Medical Center ER and at her room. Aides were special, especially Cassie and Courtney. A special thanks to everyone at Madrone Hospice; what a wonderful place! So peaceful and so caring. Another big thanks to the staff and aides at Brookdale, plus all the friends she made there. Memorial contributions may be made to National Jewish Medical & Research Center, 1400 Jackson St., Denver, CO 80206-2762, the Genealogical Society of Siskiyou County, 912 S. Main St., Yreka, CA 96097 or to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097.

Doris Wohlfert Betts

November 24, 1919 - November 19, 2016