Bette Wise

After more than 80 years of touching all those around her with her sweet joyfulness, Bette Wise peacefully left us for Heaven on February 8, 2011. Bette’s life was marked throughout by a joy and personal care for her family, friends and anyone that she met. Even later in life as she battled the effects of Alzheimer’s, she continued to reflect that joy and “spunkiness”, as it was described, that made a positive impact on everyone with who she came into contact. This sweetness was even evident in her final days with us, as time was spent with her by her husband of more than 50 years, Kellye, and other family.

Bette was born on October 3, 1930 in Delagua, Colorado. She was youngest of three daughters to Hilario “Larry” Martinez and his wife, Rebecca. Her sisters, Bertha and Celeste, remained close to her from early childhood throughout her life. In her early years, her family traveled throughout southern Colorado as her father worked as a carpenter in various coal-mining camps.

After settling in Trinidad, Colorado when in the fifth grade, Bette moved to Los Angeles, California in 1950. She joined her sisters there, working as a secretary at American Locomotive. In 1951, she met Ralph Kellye Wise through a young singles’ gathering at South Gate First Baptist Church. They were married in 1953. Kellye was in the Navy when they first met then worked for Mobil Oil Company before joining National Cash Register (NCR).

Bette’s first son, Kellye Truxton, or “Kit”, was born 1958, followed by Christopher Sean in 1961. When the family moved many times during the next several years, Bette always showed the ability to make each new spot a home that was comfortable for the family. Whether it was moving to Hawaii in the early 60’s, to Ohio or Florida, Bette had the gift of turning each new house into a home that was welcoming for the family. She created a joy and comfort that was evident in setting up each new home, no matter where that might be. Even her sons’ friends felt this comfort as they regularly came to the Wise house to spend time. Bette’s gift was evidenced through the time when Kellye and Bette retired to the Portland area.

Part of Bette’s creating comfort came through her putting together a dinner every night and always having food available for guests. Television was turned off and the family came together for dinner, even when the sons’ friends joined them.

Bette was a stay-at-home mom until Sean went to high school. Rather than work outside the home, she focused her time and efforts on the family. She made sure that Kellye and her sons were always taken care of and prepared for their own activities. Bette spent many days and nights at various sporting practices or events. This even continued with Kellye when they had grandchildren as the two loved to attend different events of their granddaughters, nieces and nephews.

After Sean began high school, Bette began working at Magnavox in Torrance, California. She was a secretary and enjoyed her time there until she and Kellye moved to Corvallis, Oregon. Bette then became the secretary for the Chief of the Corvallis Police Department, working until she retired in 1992. She enjoyed her time with the Police Department, even when having to adjust to the new technology that was entering the workplace. Bette and Kellye then moved to the Portland area in 1994 when he retired from the Oregon System of Higher Education.

Bette’s son, Kellye, married Sandi Shotts in 1980 and they had two daughters, Alyssa born in 1986, followed by Kendra in 1990. Bette then became an attentive, loving, caring grandmother. Her joy with the two girls had an impact on each, as Bette loved to be with them. She loved to give gifts and just spend time, playing or teasing. Bette’s love for each granddaughter was always evident as she found ways to treat each one unique. When the face of the Raggedy Ann doll that she made for Alyssa once wore out, Bette simply took the doll home and replaced the face, so that the doll didn’t have to be given up. It was simple, thoughtful tasks like this that Bette stepped in to do as she showed her love and care for those around her.

Bette loved to travel with her husband, Kellye, and they enjoyed several trips to Hawaii, usually taking family along, to Canada and Alaska and to see family in California or Oklahoma. They often drove, enjoying scenery and finding special places to stop along the way.

When Alzheimer’s began to attack Bette in 2002, it didn’t take her joy or her care for others. Even as she struggled with the effects of the disease, she continued to show her love and care for all those around her. She and Kellye became inseparable as they leaned on each other to deal with the effects of Alzheimer’s or other ailments. They continued to enjoy life together and with family, continuing to travel to Southern California, the Oregon Coast that they loved, or find events that they could share.

As Bette’s Alzheimer’s condition worsened, she first moved into a care unit in Hillsboro, Oregon, and later to St. Helens. Kellye moved in with Sean nearby, so that he could be close. Both Kellye and Sean would see Bette almost every day, often taking her home for a meal or just to be with them. Bette loved ice cream and it was a regular outing for Kellye to pick her up and take her to get some vanilla. Eventually, they would just sit together at the facility’s dining room and share a scoop with a Diet Dr. Pepper. It was her favorite. The sacrifice that Kellye and Sean showed was blessed by Bette’s joy in seeing and being with them. Staff, patients and patients’ families often talked about Bette greeting them, jumping in to help out with tasks and her “spunkiness” and fun. She was a teaser with staff, always bringing smiles as they worked. Staff often referred to her as “Betty Boop.”

Bette continued to attend family gatherings throughout her life. Whether it was with Kellye or her sons, or the family of her nephew, David Hubbs, Bette always looked forward to the joy and fun. Whether it was singing a song, teasing or just being with family, Bette loved her family and friends, and that love was always evident.

She also enjoyed attending church, with many of her friends being met there. Bette and Kellye were active in various churches no matter where they lived. She enjoyed regularly reading the Bible.

As Bette joins Jesus, her joy and sweetness will remain, because she etched it on each one of us that was blessed by her life. She had that rare gift of reaching each one of us with a smile, a touch, even a tease, that always left us with a smile, feeling the joy that she had for life, family and friends. Bette will be deeply missed but we are certain that her impact and influence will continue to shine. We praise the Lord for the blessing that she was and is.

Arrangements under the direction of Young's Funeral Home, Tigard, OR.