Bette Evelyn Schlagel Rogers

Bette Evelyn (Schlagel) Rogers was born on July 10, 1940 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Yakima, Washington to Gordon & Hazel (English) Schlagel of East Selah.

Bette attended Brookside Academy in Yakima. One of her favorite teachers was Mrs. Rogers, Bette was in 4th grade and the families became friends. She reconnected with Mrs. Rogers’ son Lyndon while they were students at Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Washington. Lyndon graduated in 1956. Bette graduated in 1958, Lyndon and Bette were married December 7, 1958 in Yakima, WA.

Their family included Laurin born in 1959 and Janet in 1962. They lived in College Place and Spokane. Bette completed her nursing degree in 1971 and began working in the emergency room and pediatrics at the Spokane Valley Hospital.

Lyndon got an irresistible job offer to transfer to Kansas City, Missouri in 1977. In 1985 they moved to Phoenix, Arizona and returned to Yakima in late 1985. They purchased the farm in East Selah where Bette grew up. Together they did remodeling projects and additions.

She became a grandma to Jen in 1989, Marina in 1991 and Hannah in 1997. She greatly enjoyed being a grandmother to them. She attended sporting events and activities. She loved to play Scrabble and word games.

Bette was a nurse for 45 years, from working at numerous hospitals and clinics including six years with Dr. Ralph Nuzum. She worked at Cornerstone Medical, Internal Medicine and Memorial Hospital (Recovery Room, Day Surgery and Home Health). Her last full time position was with the Veteran’s Administration in the Yakima clinic for almost 10 years. She is well known and respected for her patient care, professionalism and dedication. Retirement work included Ponderosa Assisted Living and at Pacific Northwest University as a Standardized Patient helping to educate osteopathic doctors.

They loved RV travel and family campouts in the Cascade Mountains. She enjoyed UCA alumni reunion events with old friends like Glenda who she has known since first grade.

She cared for her mother, Hazel, in her home for more than 10 years before her passing in 2009. She served as Secretary Treasurer for the Pomona Artesian Water Company for 30 years.

She enjoyed her great grandkids as well as family history. Bette has carefully researched and written stories of her life and family.

In lieu of flowers please make a memorial gift to the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society, 1901 S. 12th Ave., Union Gap, WA 98903-1256, 509-248-1328. www.yvgs.net where she loved to research and write stories!

Preceding her in death were, her son, Laurin in 2022, her parents, Gordon in 1993 and Hazel in 2009.

Married 65 years, she leaves her husband, Lyndon to mourn the loss. Daughter, Jan, Granddaughters Jen (Harrison) Burke, Marina (Dan) Beetz, and Hannah McDonald. Great grandchildren Penny, Lucy and Wyatt Burke; Estelle and Baby-Due-June-2024 Beetz.

Thank you to Nurse Laura and everyone at The Cottage In The Meadow for their loving care.

A funeral service for Bette will be held Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 4:30 PM at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902. A graveside committal will occur Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Terrace Heights Memorial Park, 3001 Terrace Heights Rd., Yakima, WA 98901.