Betty Ruth VanDeventer died on Dec. 3, 2005, at the age of 73. She was born on Jan. 30, 1933, to John and Elsie Bradshaw in Peggs, Okla. The family relocated to Bingen in the mid 1940s.
Mrs. VanDeventer graduated from Columbia High School with the class of 1951. She was employed at Underwood Fruit for over 20 years where she met many of her longtime, closest friends. She was an avid sports fan, especially football. Her family always knew not to call her whenever the Huskies or Seahawks were playing. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends. She was an expert at crossword puzzles and enjoyed gardening.
Even though her health diminished physically, she did not let it diminish her spirit. She always had a smile for you and always had you laughing.
Her family misses both her and her husband of 53 years, Don, who preceded her in death.
She leaves behind two children, son Steve, Bingen, and daughter Dawn Storkson, Kent; and seven grandchildren Jenny, Jake, Cassie, Sara, Caitlin, Jeremy and Josh. Her grandkids gave her so much joy as much as she gave them.
Memorial services will be held Friday, Dec. 9, 2005, at 1 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon.
Memorials in her name can be made to the Ray T. Yasui Dialysis Center in Hood River or to Hospice of the Gorge.
CLARENCE BENSON
Clarence Henry Benson, 68, died in Hood River, Ore., on Nov. 30, 2005. He was born in the family home in Custer, S.D. on March 3, 1937 to Clarence Dale and Gertrude (Mehlbrech) Benson.
During his youth, Mr. Benson lived in South Dakota and Montana. While in South Dakota, he worked for the Forest Service, driving water trucks and manning lookout towers where he watched for fires during the summer. In 1971, he settled in Bingen, where he lived the rest of his life.
Mr. Benson was an avid reader. He also loved watching television and birds. Another hobby of his was weather watching. He documented weather patterns for many years, and kept up with this until the 11th of November. Mr. Benson loved and cared for cats; any cat that showed up at his home was welcomed with a meal and a lot of love.
Survivors include his sister Dorothy Starr, Bingen; and nieces Jacqueline Cox, Bingen, and Jerilena Gladish, Soldotna, Alaska.
Gardner Funeral Home's Columbia River Crematory handled cremation arrangements.
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