Bette Louise Denlinger

Bette was born on May 1, 1942 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and passed away November 30, 2023 in Mesa, Arizona. She is survived by her daughter Deanne Denlinger, son Douglas Denlinger, daughter Deborah (Denlinger) Spurgin, Jesse; her grandchildren Kaiah Gray, John, Riley DeCamp, David, Cassidy Spurgin, Jacob Denlinger, and Abby Denlinger; great grandchildren Colton DeCamp, Emery DeCamp, Fallon Gray and Sedona Gray. She lived in Ronks, Pennsylvania from 1963-1978 with her late husband Jay Nelson Denlinger (deceased December 19, 2021) and her three children and moved to Mesa in 1979.

Bette was the daughter of the late Leon M. Umble and Esther M. Umble. She is also predeceased in death by her brother L. Nelson Umble.

Bette graduated from Conestoga Valley High School. Bette completed her nursing degree, RN from Millersville State College in Pennsylvania in 1963 with her emphasis on Public School Nursing and Health Education. She earned her Masters in Education, Human Relations and Counseling from Northern Arizona University in 1984. She was an accomplished public speaker including a trip to Washington DC to advocate on health-related matters. Bette was the recipient of many recognitions and awards throughout her life, including a National Recognition, the Steiff Award.

Bette held many positions in her career as a nurse and in higher level director positions, hospital, nursing home, Friendship Village, school nursing in PA and AZ and Upward Foundation in Arizona. Bette retired early due to her illnesses at age 55 and was at the time working at the State Departments of Health and Education in Arizona as the Director over all school nurses in the state of Arizona. She volunteered on many boards in health-related fields and was a strong advocate for improving health outcomes.

Bette and her late husband helped to establish Faith Evangelical Church in Lancaster, PA. Upon moving to Arizona they attended Bethany Community Church, now Sun Valley in Tempe, Arizona. While there Bette was instrumental in starting an outreach program for individuals with disabilities. Bette and her late husband established Arizona chapters of Joni Erickson Tada People Power Ministries at Bethany Community Church and two oral head and neck cancer support groups (SPOHNC).

Bette suffered from several serious medical conditions but she defied the odds by surviving through these conditions for an additional 26 years despite many disabling side effects. During those years she remained committed to her family and her faith.

Bette had many hobbies in life including crafting with dried flowers, owning Nature’s Signature a small business and antiquing. In her later years she found great pleasure in cooking family favorite recipes for everyone.

Bette’s greatest joy along with her strong faith was watching the family grow as new babies arrived and attending and participating in the activities of her children, grand and great children. She will be remembered for her steadfast faith in the Lord and her tenacity to endure through all of life’s struggles. She will be missed.

A memorial celebration of life service for Bette will be held December 30, 2023, 11:00 am. Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 South Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: SPOHNC In Memory of Bette Denlinger PO Box 53 Locust Valley, NY 11560-0053

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LakeshoreMort.com for the Denlinger family.