Betty (Fikse) Oliver was born October 19, 1926 in Luverne, Minnesota to Alfred Fikse Sr. and Johanna (Spronk) Fikse. Betty lived a faithful, grace-filled, prayerful, Christ-honoring life that blessed generations. On September 21, 2021, a few weeks shy of her 95th birthday, Betty left this earth for her heavenly home, gathered to her people, and to her Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1933 the Fikse family left Minnesota and moved to Southern California where Betty’s father Alfred eventually became a general contractor, building dairies as well as a number of churches.
Betty was raised along with her 6 siblings in Artesia, California and attended Bellflower Christian Schools where her father Alfred was a school board member.
At age 11 Betty was hospitalized with an unknown disease which kept her body from retaining food or water. The hospital told her parents there was nothing more they could do and Betty was dying. Her father took her home and sat by her for days praying for God to spare her and singing to Betty the song “He will hold me fast.” She began to slowly improve and within a year she was back in school.
In 1945, Betty was introduced to a young soldier from Wisconsin, Charles Oliver. On November 19, 1947 Chuck and Betty were married in Artesia, California.
Chuck and Betty went on to have 8 children, build a business, and were deeply involved in their church and in Christian education.
Betty was a voracious reader, reading many missionary biographies and theological works such as Matthew Henry’s Commentaries on the Bible, and many other advanced Bible study tools. Betty was also very faithful in written correspondence to her many cousins and friends in the Midwest and in Holland. She and Chuck hosted several foreign exchange students from around the world and she faithfully kept up correspondence with them for many years.
Betty was very active in her church as a Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, Women’s Bible study, Pioneer Girls, and the Reformed Church Women’s Triennial Conferences. She was also involved in Bellflower (now Valley) Christian Schools Harvest festivals, a counselor for the Billy Graham Crusades, support for her children’s athletic teams, (high school and college), and in her retirement years with Chuck, an enthusiastic traveler. With Chuck, she traveled to Israel, Egypt, Europe and also toured with Chuck extensively in the United States.
In the mid 1990’s Chuck and Betty moved to Visalia, California. They joined Tulare Community Church where Betty was active in Women’s ministries. After Chuck’s passing in 2004, Betty took up residence in Sierra Village in Visalia where she made many friends and during which time, she led Bible Studies at both Tulare Community Church and Sierra Village.
Betty was preceded to heaven by her husband Charles, her daughter-in law Debby (Bordewyk) Oliver, her son Richard Oliver, and her son Charles Jay Oliver. She is survived by Sheryl Oliver, Alroy and Verla Oliver, Rhonda Oliver, James and Patti Oliver, Larry and Helene Oliver, Mike and Bettyann (Oliver) Kalmink, Ron and Janielle (Oliver) Bousema, Mike Oliver and Deanna Oliver. Betty has 42 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren. Betty has 1 surviving sister, Johanna Overgaauw of Ontario, California.
Viewing will be held at Miller’s Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Avenue, Visalia, California on Sunday, October 3 from 4:00PM until 7:00PM.
Graveside Services will be held at Visalia Cemetery, 1300 W. Goshen Avenue, Visalia, California on Monday, October 4 at 9:00AM.
Memorial Services for Betty Oliver will be held at Tulare Community Church, 1820 N. Gem Street in Tulare, California on Monday October 4, 2021 at 11:30AM.
In lieu of flowers, gifts and contributions can be made in Betty Oliver’s name to Sierra Village, 1 Molenstraat, Visalia, California 93277.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Oliver family.
