Betty J Totten

Betty Jean Race was born on August 4, 1925 in Sitka, Alaska to Ernest (Hap) Race and

Julia (Gove) Race. The family moved to Auburn Washington where Betty went

on to graduate from Auburn Senior High School.

Mom was somewhat of a tomboy and loved sports and enjoyed playing the coronet

during her high school days. She would often talk about the many local parades she

marched and played in. Betty worked as a bookkeeper in a local Auburn Bank after high

school, and you can be assured the books balanced to the tee at the end of the day.

In 1945, Betty married Carl Totten, who preceded her in death. Betty and Carl had four

children, (Roy Ernest, James D., Clifta Julia (Eckert) and Keith Edward) who have

contributed to the Family Tree with 11 Grandchildren and 29 Great Grandchildren.

Betty enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and was quite the craftsperson. She

lovingly sewed sequins on cloth calendars for the past 38 years, and gave them out at

Christmas with a gleam in her eye. Each month she displayed her wooden

plaques, which she hand painted and made from plywood, which aptly embraced the

mood for that month. She loved baking, with her date pudding being a great hit at

Christmas. She also crafted rugs for the grand kids. She was always looking for another

craft. In her idle time she would piece together jigsaw puzzles with no puzzle being too

difficult, as she embraced the challenge. If it wasnʼt a jigsaw puzzle it was a crossword.

Mom enjoyed gambling and seemed to be always ahead of the house. She knew her

limits and always knew when to call it a day when her luck was down.

Betty enjoyed golfing and most of all fishing. Mom was an avid fisher person. Her

greatest feat and story was the time she caught a large Steelhead from the Green River.

An epic tale involving her sister Dorothy. The one fish that didnʼt get away!!

Mom, Grandma, Gigi, Grandma Totten, has left us with great memories. She has taught us

that the simplest things can still provide the greatest joy in the 21st Century and that being

thoughtful of others is a must.

She will be deeply missed; but her spirit lives.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to their charity or organization of

choice in Betty Tottenʼs name

Arrangements under the direction of Price-Helton Funeral Home, Auburn, WA.