Betty Ruth Shaffer

Longtime Siskiyou County resident, Betty Ruth Shaffer had a massive stroke at Brookdale Extended Care Facility, on the morning of February 17th, and passed away peacefully on February 22 at Madrone Hospice, just after midnight very early that morning. Betty was born in Bemidji, Minnesota on December 2, 1925 to Rose “Dee”, and Vernon Anderson. When she was just 6 months old they moved across the United States in a Model A to Weed, Ca, where Vernon found work in the lumber mill. Betty was told she cried all the way across the United States. They later lived in Portland and Bend, Oregon, and returned to Weed when Betty was in high school. There in Weed, Betty met Orby “Orb” Purl Shaffer and they fell in love. World War II separated them for a time, but Orb returned to marry Betty in March of 1945 before the war ended. They lived in Weed and all 4 of their children were born in Siskiyou County. In 1955 the whole family moved to Ferndale, Ca, and Orb continued to work in the lumber industry. Betty stayed home to care for her children until the 2 eldest were in high school; at that time she took a job in Eureka as a seamstress. In 1965 they moved to Yreka and Betty worked as a seamstress for Jole Dame Dress Shop for many years. Betty and Orb had many fun years square dancing in Ferndale, Eureka, Yreka, Grenada, Medford, and Mt. Shasta. Betty continued to go square dancing, even after Orb passed away in 2003; she had a passion for square dancing. She also did line-dancing for many years. Betty also had a passion for playing cards; all her children and grandchildren had many fun hours of playing cards with her. Betty loved taking quilting classes in Mt Shasta from Tina Seres, for many years with her daughter Linda and daughter-in-law Karen. She made many friends. She was also known for winning many Best of Shows at the Siskiyou County Fair for her quilting and her homemade pies. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Orby Purl Shaffer, who passed away in 2003; her son Dennis Wayne Shaffer (Steve Pratt), passed away in 2002. Betty is survived by her children, Linda Rose Richter (John) of Yreka, Richard Vernon Shaffer (Karen) of Yreka, and Jean Louise Shaffer Reeves (Richard, deceased) of Roseburg, OR. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Damon, Randy Reeves of Roseburg, OR, Jandra Reeves, of Roseburg, OR and Elizabeth Sheble, of San Tan Valley, Az. Betty is also survived by step-grandchildren, Jay Richter (Mai), and Rider Richter (Claudia), both of Sacramento, Michael Patrick Richter (deceased) of Los Angeles and Laurie Meyers, Patricia Richardson, Annmarie Alparone, Kimmy I Gathwright and James D McConnell. She is also survived by 23 great grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren. A celebration of life potluck dinner will in Yreka, at Decision Life Church, 203 Wetzel Way (corner of North and Wetzel) at 3:00pm on Saturday, April 1st in the dining area in the basement of the church.

Betty Ruth Shaffer

December 2, 1925 - February 22, 2017