Bettie Verlene Postlewait

Bettie passed away Monday,December 31, 2012 after an extended stay in the hospital. She was born on November 19th, 1926 to vernon and Elizabeth Johnson of Emporia, Kansas. Bettie graduated from high school in Saffordville, Kansas in 1944. She started teaching during WWII with an emergency teaching certificate in a one room school house near Emporia, Kansas. The school had all 8 grades, no electricity, no janitor, and was heated by a coal stove. On November 6th 1947 she married Fred J. Postlewait. While living in Emporia Kansas, the Postlewait's had three children, Fred, Jim and Tom. They moved to Oregon in 1952, and had two more children, Gary and Gale. Bettie played an active part in the community as Den Mother, Brownie Leader and PTA President. As her children became older, Bettie substitued at local grade schools, but eventually quit substituing to operate her own private kindergarten which she ran for 20 years. In 1987 she retired when kindergarten became part of the public school system. Bettie and her husband Fred, became active in travel clubs and toured the states in their fifth wheel trailer. Bettie is survived by her husband of 65 years; 5 children: Fred Jr. of Newport, OR; Jim of Colton, OR; Tom of Canby; Gary of Canby; and Gale Ann Hipp of Sherwood; 3 sisters; June Postlewait and Donna Walker of Canby; Sandra Atchison; 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. There will be a Memorial Service at Canby Funeral Chapel, Saturday, January 5, 2013, at 11:00 AM. Officiated by John Vandt. There will be a private family interment at Zion Memorial Cemetery following the service. A Reception will be held at the Postlewait Farm on Barlow Road. Arrangements entrusted to Canby Funeral Chapel. www.canbymolallafuneralchapels.com