Betty Dale Schwarder Ryan

She was born in Seattle, WA on Jan. 28, 1920 to John & Hazel Van Artsdale Schwarder. She spent the early years of her life in Kalispell. MT, West Seattle, WA and Cle Elum, WA; before moving with her family to the Yakima Valley in the 1930s.

She attended Yakima High School where she met her future husband, Jim Ryan, when they were seated alphabetically next to each other in their classes. She graduated from Yakima High School in 1937. She then graduated from Yakima Valley Community College and went on to the University of Washington when, about a month shy of receiving her 4-year business degree, her mother suddenly passed away. Betty had to go home and help her father in their little grocery store and post office in Union Gap. She never returned for her diploma, but upon marrying Jim Ryan in 1944, she embarked on a lifelong, real-life business adventure in the orcharding world where she kept the books, tallied the picking records and wrote workers' checks for 45 years or more. She and Jim led a rewarding life of warm hospitality on the ranch for over 72 years together.

During that time she fed and housed a great many children and grown-ups with both really good food & huge doses of love, encouragement, & a strong sense of belonging. Betty was past president of the Lovalju Women's Club as well as a charter member for over 50 years and was involved in the First Baptist Church of Yakima for many years as well. She was a Cub Scout leader when her children were small and helped where needed in their schools.

She was a wonderful business partner, wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, cousin, sister and friend whose love of books and birds inspired generations of children as well as adults to read and to always double-check to see or hear "just what that bird might be".

Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, James B. Ryan; her brother, David G. Schwarder and her parents. She is survived by son, Roger Ryan,; daughter, Sally Hoy (Douglas); grandson, Timothy Ryan (Stacy); granddaughter, Heather Hoy Stribling (Kenneth); grandson, Daniel Ryan; grandson, Matthew Ryan (Katie) and 9 great-grandchildren (Alexandra, Sara, Nicholas, Zachary, Samantha, Teddy, Eleanor, Georgia & Justice). Along with these are Betty's nieces, nephews & many special cousins and their families ... all of whom have truly played a great part in Betty's life- and she, in theirs. Last, but not least, are the many dear friends and family that Betty has known over the years ... and most recently, the wonderful caregiving team who has also become her true-blue friends. The care of the Virginia Mason Memorial Hospice team was also greatly appreciated.

On November 18, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. there will be a graveside service at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Immediately following at 11:00 a.m. there will be a Celebration of Life gathering at Rainier Memorial Center, 2807 Terrace Heights Dr., Yakima. Please come & join us for great memories, pictures and stories.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Betty's name may be made to Children's Village, Yakima or Children's Hospital, Seattle or Vision for Independence Center, P.O. Box 2833,Yakima, WA 98907 would be greatly appreciated.

Memories of Betty will be welcomed at keithandkeith.com.