Betty Jane Schnelker

BJ grew up in Battle Creek, MI. She was the only child of Carl Jay Hawkins (1903-1985) & Dorothy Dawn Covill (1905-1990). She had a close & loving relationship with her mother who was 18 years her senior. BJ wrote in her memoirs that they would laugh over silly things & could hardly stop laughing unless they were separated. Growing up as a Seventh Day Adventist in religious schools was very confining. She decided to push the limits with her spunky spirit & attended Central Michigan College. She made a lot of friends & was free from the confines of her religion.

During World War II, BJ joined the war effort in Ypsilanti, MI as a riveter on B-24’s. Through her efforts, she joined the proud ranks of “Rosie the Riveter”.

BJ married William Rambo in 1947 in Battle Creek. Together they moved to Los Angeles where they enjoyed meeting new friends at Hollywood Presbyterian Church. They welcomed 3 children, Melinda Dawn (1954), Jeffrey Daniel (1955) and Bradley Jay (1959). BJ & Bill made close friends at church including Betty Johnson, her longest & dearest friend. There are quite a few stories of them getting together with babies in play pens & meeting at the beach in Laguna. She continued that strong friendship until Betty’s passing in 2021. After almost 20 years of marriage, BJ & Bill divorced.

In 1966, BJ met & married Robert Schnelker. They welcomed a daughter, Kristina Jane, in 1967, & moved from state to state to follow Bob’s football career as a coach in the NFL. In all those locations BJ made many friends who she continued to be in contact with over the years. After 20 years, BJ and Bob divorced. She spent the rest of her years focusing on what meant the most to her…. family, friends & her many interests.

BJ enjoyed needlepoint, crochet, quilting, & sewing. One year she made outfits for all of her grandchildren! Her love of flowers continued throughout her life. She had a beautiful garden & was so proud to show it off. She also loved decorating the many homes she lived in. Her love of antiques & impeccable taste in homes & clothes followed her throughout her life. She had a special “Circle of Friends” that played tennis, bridge & loved to travel. Her travels took her to many faraway places (Cayman Islands, Mexico, Hawaii, Europe). She spent vacations with her son Brad’s family on Kauai & loved snorkeling, boogie boarding & walks on the beach! She enjoyed the mountains & rivers of Montana & Washington with Mindy’s family where she rode horses, hiked trails & sat around the campfire. BJ loved her breakfasts and surf checks along the coast of Southern California with her son Jeff. Kristina’s family also settled in the Pacific Northwest where BJ loved to visit, enjoying gardening, antiquing & watching her 3 grandchildren participate in their many sports & activities!

BJ lived in Carlsbad from 1987 until her passing. Her love of the beach was probably the reason she stayed! Her adventurous, loving & willing spirit will be remembered. She found beauty everywhere she went.

Over the years, she has welcomed 10 Grandchildren & 5 Great Grandchildren. Each of them equally special to her.

BJ is lovingly remembered by:

Daughter, Mindy Siks, husband Mark, grandchildren Sasha & Ellie.

Son, Jeff Rambo, wife Kelly, grandchildren Karlie & Stephanie.

Son, Brad Rambo, wife Wendy, grandchildren Taylor (wife Ashly & great grandchildren Layla & Mason), Brandon (wife Chelsea & great grandchildren Brixton & Senna), & Dana.

Daughter Kristina Pinkston, grandchildren Trisha (husband Taylor and great grandchild Nellie), Carl & Brett.

BJ’s ashes lay next to her mother Dorothy Fredrickson at Eternal Hills Memorial Park, Oceanside, CA. In lieu of flowers please consider giving to Elizabethhospice.org

On Monday, May 16, we will remember her with a Celebration of Life at the home of Brad & Wendy Rambo in San Clemente from 3-6 pm.