Betty Jean Scheetz

After prolonged convalescence, Betty Scheetz passed away on September 29, 2011 at age 88. She is survived by her son Harold L. (Hall) Scheetz and daughter-in-law Martha L. Scheetz of Folsom, and daughter Mary K. Powell of Foresthill. Surviving granchildren include Dana Scheetz-Gray of Sacramento and her husband Matthew Gray, Melissa Scheetz of Citrus Heights, and Michael Wade of Lincoln. Donny Powell, her first grandson, died in 2006. Surviving great-grandchildren include Sarah and Dylan Gray of Sacramento. Her husband Walter E. Scheetz passed away in 2007.

Betty Jean Blaine was born on May 10, 1923 in Hollywood, California. She graduated from Monrovia High School. Upon completing studies at Woodward Business College in Long Beach she enlisted as a WAVE in the United States Navy in WWII and was assigned to the payroll office at the Coronado Naval Air Station. It was there that she recognized Walter Scheetz who she fondly remembered from high school. They married on June 22, 1946 and enjoyed 60 years of companionship, love and devotion.

The first few years of their marriage was spent in southern California while Walt was a welder at Vega Aircraft in Azusa. They then moved to Seward, Alaska where he worked for the Alaska Road Commission and Betty was employed as a bookkeeper. In 1954 they moved to Orangevale because Walt was among the initial group of Aerojet personnel assigned to construct and maintain rocket test stands at Rancho Cordova. As aerojet underwent cutbacks in the 1960's they set up a welding shop in their garage in Orangevale which later evolved into Scheetz Welding Service at 9321 Greenback Lane in Folsom. Their ethic of honesty, integrity, and hard work earned from customers the "If Scheetz Can't Weld It, Junk It" motto that adorns the business today. Betty and Walt's approach to business was simple: Provide the best service possible to anyone who walks through the door. That ethic continues to this day through their son and daughter-in-law, Hal and Martha Scheetz, who operate the business in the same tradition.

Betty enjoyed their travels through Australia, New Zealand, Panama, Hawaii, Canada, Alaska, the Caribbean, and the East Coast. She was a prolific reader and especially enjoyed studying California history, geology and earthquakes. She actively served in Folsom Soroptimist International and Folsom's Friends of the Powerhouse and for many years participated in events organized by the Orangevale Chamber of Commerce. She will be remembered as one of the founders of the Orangevale Meals on Wheels program which later grew to become Serve our Seniors.

Memorial and interment services will commence at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2011 at Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, with reception to follow at the First Baptist Church of Orangevale, 8998 Central Ave. The family asks that all memorial contributions be directed to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, c/o Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary.