Betty Jean Parikka

Betty Jean Manton Parikka, 89, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2021, due to heart failure and dementia. She was born in Pasadena, California on November 25, 1931, to James and Marie Manton. Betty was a life-long resident of California. Betty's youth was spent in Arcadia, CA until the family moved to Weed, CA. She graduated from Weed High School in 1949. Betty was a warm woman with a quick smile. She met the love of her life, Bob Parikka, and married him on March 11, 1950, in Weed. They achieved great happiness together for 61 years until Bob’s death in 2011. Betty and Bob lived in Merced until 1960. They later moved to Citrus Heights where Betty resided for 53 years until 2014, when she moved to Clovis to be near her daughter, Jayne. Bob and Betty raised their children with a love for the great outdoors on their wonderful property in Citrus Heights. Betty was an expert horsewoman, a great cook, a gardener, a seamstress, a book lover and a sports enthusiast. She passed on these wonderful traits to her children and supported them as a 4-H leader, Little League Mom, and as a spectator at parades, horse shows, and football and baseball games. Always a parent, when her children were nearly raised, she cooked for the San Juan Unified School District cafeterias and for the Liberty House Restaurant. She found great enjoyment while RV’ing and going fishing with Bob after his retirement. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Marie, Pancho, Carl and Marian; and her loving husband. She is mourned by her children: daughters, Donna Parikka of Burleson, TX and Jayne Middleton of Clovis, CA; and sons, Dennis Parikka of Folsom, CA and Michael Parikka of Orangevale, CA. Betty was particularly proud of her grandchildren, Matthew Parikka, Griffin Parikka and Tonya Emmons and her husband, Johnny. Betty is also survived by her brother, James Manton and his wife, BJ, of Yreka, CA; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. A private celebration of Betty’s life will be held at a later date.