Betty was born in Queens, NYC on February 16, 1923 to Earle Allen Nutter and Marion Elizabeth Cody. Both of her parents served in WW1, Earle as an Army sergeant pilot, and Marion as a Navy Yeoman. The family moved to Portland, Oregon where Betty attended high school and two years at Reed College.
At 19, Betty met Rolf Romstad, an Air Force Pilot. They enjoyed a happy marriage.
Their children, Kris Romstad Gordon and Eric Dahl Romstad grew up traveling in many countries throughout the world. The family moved to British Guiana when Kris was a baby and then to Puerto Rico where Eric was born. The family enjoyed living in Hawaii and Betty raved about how wonderful Turkey was.
After retiring from the Air Force, Rolf and Betty spent a happy retirement in Riverside on Victoria Avenue until Rolf passed on.
Betty’s grandchildren by Kris are Rolf Scott Reynolds (Amy Lou), Brian Garrett Reynolds and Erin Reynolds Chance (Stephen). Betty’s great grandchildren: Rolf Reynolds Jr., Cole Reynolds, Robert Reynolds, Meredith Reynolds; Jackson Reynolds, Colin Reynolds, Alexandra Reynolds, Savannah Reynolds; Madison Chance, Anna Chance. Great grandson Patrick Chance predeceased Betty from childhood cancer.
Betty’s grandchild by Eric is Britt Elizabeth Romstad. Britt has one child, Florence Romstad Contreras, by Egmont Contreras.
Betty loved children and Ping Pong. After her husband’s death, Betty played on as a life master in Contract Bridge and enjoyed lunching with her friends. She was active in the Mission Inn, the Municipal Museum and other organizations.
In 1984, Betty met Taylor (Ted) Whitenack while both were buying adjacent condos in Riverside. They struck it off and were married in 1985. They honeymooned in China, and then moved into a luxury condo in Riverside. They had a wonderful marriage, and after Ted’s retirement, they traveled all over the country, often with close friends. They went to Canada, Europe and England, using time shares, Elderhostels, small boat cruises and motor travel.
In the early years, while Kris’ grandbabies were growing up, Betty and Ted went to Georgia for Christmas. As the grandkids grew up, Betty and Ted started alternating Christmas between Riverside and Augusta.
They enjoyed visiting her son, Eric, while he was living in New Zealand. Eric died in Missoula and Britt and Egmont flew over from Melbourne for the funeral and introduced little Florence to the family.
Betty enjoyed Ted’s children, Harry Alden [Al] Whitenack (Diane), Charles Arthur [Art] Whitenack (Noriko) and Susan Fox (John) and Ted’s grand children. On Christmas, birthdays and especially on the Fourth of July, where they watched the fireworks on Mt. Rubidoux from Betty and Ted’s patio at Braemar.
Betty loved children and had such fun with all of her kids and step kids. Betty had a great sense of humor and retained a natural curiosity about the world throughout her life.
As they aged, Ted took over the cooking and such. Betty was a great gardener and loved to play bridge weekly. Betty and Ted watched Netflix movies as they moved into their nineties. Sometimes she napped a bit.
Betty’s closest friends passed one by one until there were few left.
After Christmas, 2019, Betty slowed down. She had severe dementia, and a month after everyone cheered for her at her 97th birthday party, Betty went to God on March 29, 2020. We all miss her, but Ted misses her the most!
Betty lived a busy, happy, wonder-filled life.
Betty will rest in a Sunrise Window niche at Evergreen Mausoleum in Riverside.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18