Betty Lou Hotchkiss

Born on October 2, 1927, in Mott, North Dakota, Betty was the cherished daughter of George and Nellie Potzner. Her early years unfolded amidst the serene beauty of Sandpoint, Idaho. She graduated from Vancouver High School, carrying with her a quiet determination that would shape the decades to come.

Life’s winding path led Betty to Portland, Oregon—a city where fate intervened one evening at the Sandy Hut. There, she met Glenn Hotchkiss. Their connection sparked a love story that began with their marriage on September 1, 1956, in Reno, Nevada. For 64 years, they shared life’s joys and challenges side by side until Glenn’s passing on September 30, 2020.

Betty devoted over thirty years to North Pacific Lumber as a Lumber Logistics Manager. In an industry defined by precision and coordination, she stood out for her unwavering dedication and meticulous care.

Outside of work, Betty's world bloomed with color and creativity. She found solace and joy in scrapbooking—each page a tapestry of memory—and tended her garden with loving hands that coaxed beauty from the soil. Card games brought laughter into her home; each shuffle and deal was another thread woven into the fabric of time spent together. Her fondness for vibrant nail polish mirrored her inner brightness—each hue an echo of the light she brought into others’ lives.

From childhood through her twenties, she cherished horses, dogs, and cats alike. Horses offered freedom and grace, dogs brought loyalty and joy, while cats provided quiet comfort. Each one was a beloved companion, equally important in her life.

She reveled in decorating for every holiday, weaving a tapestry of cheer and wonder that transformed each season into a celebration of warmth and light.

She is lovingly remembered by her son Jeff Hotchkiss and his wife Debbie; grandsons Jeremiah and Justin; step-grandchildren Sean Searfus and Allison Faas; and great-grandchildren Caylee, Joseph, Vincent, and Nolan.

Betty’s generous heart radiated warmth like sunlight through stained glass—colorful, comforting, enduring. Her smile lingered long after conversations ended; her presence left rooms brighter than before she entered them.

May her memory continue to bloom in those who knew her—a lasting garden of love and light.

A viewing for Betty will be held on Friday, April 18, at 9:00 AM at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR 97229.

A funeral service will follow from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, with a graveside service immediately after from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR 97229.