Betty Jane Woolen Klein

Betty Jane Klein, 81, of Arlington, gently passed into the arms of Jesus on March 9, 2011. Betty’s gentle spirit, love of family and caring nature were evident until the final hours of her life, which were spent surrounded by family, friends, and the caring staff of the Palliative Care Team at Providence Hospital. She was born in Liberal, Kansas on February 3, 1930 to Douglas and Luella Woolen. During the Depression, Betty’s parents moved their three children West in search of work, eventually settling in Arlington. With Betty, her sister (Billie) and brother (Jack) in school, her father supported the family building power lines on Seattle City Light’s Skagit River hydro projects. The family attended the Gospel Hall in Arlington, and there Betty met the young man who would become her lifetime love and partner. Elmer Klein was part of a big Snohomish County dairy family. Elmer was forever captivated by Betty’s stylishness and grace. The marriage of Betty and Elmer in Everett on April 30, 1946 set her on a challenging and joy-filled path that lasted for the rest of her life. The early years were a struggle to make ends meet. Betty worked briefly in a clothing store, but the demands of motherhood and farming were strong. Betty was busy helping Elmer milk their growing herd of dairy cows the morning their first child, Sandi, was born in 1947. Betty and Elmer worked a series of Arlington-area dairy farms while their family grew with son Dan and daughter Barbara. In 1969, the couple was blessed with their youngest child, Teresa. In 1964, the family left farming and moved to Lake Stevens. When the dairying bug again bit the Kleins in 1969, they returned to Arlington and purchased a large dairy on the Stillaguamish River. Betty never had to travel far to enjoy fun-filled summer days with family and friends down by the river. At the Stillaguamish farm, Betty pursued her love of gardening by raising champion roses. After selling the Stillaguamish dairy to son Dan and wife Pam, Betty and Elmer retired to their home in Arlington. They spent the winter months with family and friends at their second home in sunny Southern California. Betty’s family was her greatest joy. In addition to husband Elmer, those who will remember her with the deepest love and affection are sister Billie Klein, daughter Sandi Dollar, son Dan Klein (Pam), daughter Barbara Klein (Gary Larson), daughter Teresa Dunn; grandchildren Jami Adams, Jason Klein, Marneye Dollar (fiancé Tyson Driesen), Brady Dunn, and Casey Dunn; great grandchildren Damon Adams, Dylan Adams and Demri Adams. Betty was preceded in death by parents Douglas and Luella Woolen, brother Jack Woolen, and half brother Dean Woolen.

Viewing will be at Weller’s Funeral Home, 327 N. MacLeod Ave., Arlington, WA on Monday, March 14 from noon to 6 p.m. There will be a private burial. A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 at the Free Methodist Church, 730 E. Highland Dr., Arlington, WA.

Donations in Betty’s memory may be made to Providence Hospice or Providence Cancer Partnership.

Arrangements under the direction of Weller Funeral Home, Arlington, WA.