Betty Nelson Rhoda

Betty Lou Nelson Rhoda was born September 6, 1926 and passed away peacefully May 7, 2023. She was born in Conrad, Montana to Alfred AW Nelson and Margaret Wood Nelson. Her childhood was spent in Shelby, Montana with her siblings Virginia Mae Nelson Johnston and George Charles Nelson. Betty graduated from Thompson Falls High School in Thompson Falls, Montana and began nurses training in Missoula, Montana in 1944. She was a member of the US Cadet Corps during WW II.

Married in 1945 to Donald Robert Rhoda of Shelby, they had two daughters; Donna Roberta Rhoda and Brusan Rhoda Wells. They raised the family in Montana and moved to Washington in 1952 and eventually settled in Spokane. Betty took pride in being a homemaker and being available every day when her daughters came home from school. She volunteered with Girl Scouts of the Inland Empire and Campfire Girls of America. Betty especially enjoyed being a day camp volunteer for Girl Scouts. She was a proud lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA.

After learning how to drive in 1968, Betty continued her nursing endeavor and graduated from Spokane Community College in 1969 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She was a valued member of the cardiac care unit at Deaconess Hospital. Always interested in her family history, she became a skilled researcher of tracing ancestry and over the years discovered and met many relatives to their mutual delight. Betty was a member of the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society.

She is survived by her daughters, brother George (Marvanelle) Nelson, grandsons Jeffrey Laird Harvey, Jorn Eric Harvey, great-grandson Gunnar Laird Harvey, and great-granddaughter Kelly Marie Leahy and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband Don in 1993, who was the volunteer postman at St. Luke's Hospital in 1991, sister Virginia Johnston and grandson Rob Angell.

At her direction, no service will be held.

Ball and Dodd of Spokane is in charge of arrangements.

The family asks that in lieu flowers, donation of remembrance can be given to Staff Education Scholarship, Rockwood Residents Foundation,

2903 E. 25th Ave. Spokane, WA. 99223

or Camp Four Echoes Scholarships, Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho,

1404 N. Ash 99201