Obituary - Betty Fern (Van Kleek) Allen

Home

Chronicle, The (Centralia, WA) - Thursday, March 20, 2003

Deceased Name: Betty Fern Allen BETTY FERN ALLEN

In the presence of her family on Sunday March 16, Betty Allen went to be with her Lord. She was a devoted mother and grandmother whose sweet spirit will be missed by many.

Betty Fern Van Kleek was born on December 24, 1920 at Middle Branch, Nebraska into a home that already had 7 girls and in the years that followed increased to a total of 10 girls and 1 boy. She was born just a few miles from where her Great Grandparents had been the first people to homestead in that part of Nebraska in the winter of 1873-74. Her parents were Fred and Altie Van Kleek Her father was born Fred Van Kleek on December 01, 1879 in Madison, Wisconsin and her mother was born Altie Grimm on January 08, 1883 at Middle Branch, Nebraska.

The VanKleek family moved to the Pacific Northwest when Betty was a teenager. She lived, married and raised her family there until she moved to Santa Cruz in 2001. During these last years she enjoyed attending High Street Community Church and being loved by the many wonderful people there. Some of her favorite things were: children, flowers, feeding the birds, loving friends and a piece of good chocolate now and then.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Amondson, and Harold Allen, also parents Fred and Altie Van Kleek, one brother, Albert Van Kleek five sisters, Edna Clyde, Bessie Fernen, Lula Hilts, Marie Bailey, Irene Gladson.

She is survived by one daughter, Melody Smith of Santa Cruz, California, two sons Jim Amondson of Kent Washington, and Larry Amondson of Steilacoom, Washington, and several grand children and great grandchildren; 4 sisters: Lillie Gowen, Hildarene Lerew, Loretta Downey, Isadora Grass, and 1 brother, Gordon Van Kleek all from various towns in Washington and many nieces and nephews.

It is so exciting for us to think she has gone from living in a sod house on the South Dakota prairie in the 1930's to living in a mansion in heaven where even the streets are paved with pure gold. Rev. 21: 21 Services will be held Friday, March 21st, 11:00 am at Cook's Hill Community Church, Centralia where she attended for many years and was loved by many. Donations may be given to Hospice Caring Project 6851 Soquel Dr. Aptos, CA 95003.