Elizabeth E. Bendokas

Betty was born December 27, 1923, at home in Fife, WA, to Carl and Donna Risvold. After graduating from Olympia High School in 1941, Betty went to work as a telephone operator for the local phone company. Joining a friend, she one night attended a dance at the USO near Fort Lewis. There, fate and cupid intervened and she met her future husband, best friend, and forever love, Charles W. Bendokas Jr. who predeceased her in 2002. Not content to let Charles single-handedly win the war by himself, Betty joined the Navy Waves in 1943 and served with honor until the wars end in 1945. Betty and Charles were then married in November of 1945.

Betty and Charles started married life where Charles grew up in New Jersey, but soon felt the pull to head back West. After joining many returning veterans in a new neighborhood in Mountlake Terrace, they then built their long time home in Bothell, WA. in 1959. They spent the next 43 of their 57 years together in Bothell, lovingly raising their family and becoming involved in many civic activities. Betty was particularly involved in the Bothell Garden Club, the Bothell Historical Society and the Bothell Museum. She was also an avid doll collector and enthusiast. She leaves many friends that she loved dearly in these wonderful groups.

Betty will be greatly missed by all her family. She is survived by her beloved children, daughter Donna, son Jeff and wife Pat, son Tim and wife Heidi, and son Jon and wife Carrie. Betty taught her grateful kids to be independent but also how to care for and love others. She is also survived by grandchildren Emily, Kazie, Ariana, Andrew, Charley, Mitchell and Megan and sister Carol Cox, brothers Robert and Denny Risvold and many nieces and nephews and friends. Funeral Mass to be held 11 am Saturday March 1, 2008 at St. Brendan Catholic Church 10051 NE 195th, Bothell, WA 98011, with a reception following. Committal, Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, Shoreline. Memorials suggested to the Bothell Historical Museum. Please sign an on-line guestbook at washelli.com