Betty Lou Winchell

Betty was born on the 12th of January, 1930 in Ulysses, KS to John Dietrich and Esther Karber Schmatjen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard, sister Mary Ann Thimmes, brother John Schmatjen, Jr. and grandson Thomas Laver. She is survived by her sisters Peggy Jo (Richard) Spada of St. Paul OR, Janis (Eldon) Thiessen of Dallas OR, brother David (Judy) Schmatjen of Portland OR, daughters Joni (Robert) Laver of Molalla OR, Sheri (Raden) Sumantri of Eugene OR, Penni (Frank) Hill of Portland OR, Nanci (William) Schauerman of San Pedro CA, son William (Karen) King of Lenoir City TN, grand daughters Raydeen (Harold) Cuffe of Wellington New Zealand, Heather (Ivy) Hearst of Gresham OR, Angela (Jaired) Weninger of Colton OR, Rachel Schauerman of Perth Australia, grandsons Joshua (Kristin) Sumantri of Central Point OR, Billi James of Oakland CA, Wyatt (Sarah) King of Post Falls ID, Jacob Schauerman of Austin TX, step grandchildren Karsten Short of Nashville TN and Chloe Short of Lenoir City TN, nine great grandchildren and two foster great grandchildren.

Born in Ulysses, KS, Betty and her family moved to Portland, OR in 1937, where she graduated from Grant High School. She then attended and received her BA in Elementary Education from Whitworth College in Spokane WA. For a time she taught in Mead WA before moving to the Parkrose neighborhood of Portland, where she taught at the Parkrose Preschool for 19 years. Upon her retirement from Parkrose Preschool, she and her husband “Dick” helped start a co-op preschool at Calvary Presbyterian Church, where they served for another nine years.

She met her husband Richard Ralph Winchell at Calvary Presbyterian Church, where they both attended since their childhoods, and were married on the 14th of June, 1953. Together they actively served their church and the co-op preschool as well as Oregon Christian Endeavor. Once their daughters were grown and out of the house, she enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, Dick, and after his death, with other members of her family.

In the 69 years that Betty lived in her home in Portland, she only lived alone for two years. Her and Dick’s home and they themselves were a place and people of welcome and hospitality. Their home was a consistent place of welcome for friends, family, and friends of family, some of whom came for the afternoon while others stayed for decades. For everyone who came, the Winchell home was a place of welcome, peace, and safety. Her and Dick’s commitment to Jesus compelled them to look outward with open arms.

If you are unable to attend, you can join the Zoom meeting below. The service will be recorded. Contact one of the daughters if you would like a link to the recording to view later.

Join Zoom Meeting.

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Meeting ID: 852 5795 3186

Passcode: 123456