Betty Howard Nelson was born on August 4, 1925 in Oxford, Nebraska and passed away on December 8, 2025.  She was 100 years old at that time. She was active in school sports in her hometown. She played softball in the positions of first base and catcher. When she was a junior in high school, her cousin from California came to visit family.  With him was a friend, this was Jack. They both had recently joined the Navy.

Betty and her family moved to California when she graduated from high school. While in California she took a job as a riveter in a plant making planes for the war effort.  Jack was stationed in San Diego and came to see her on a weekend. They went to a park and rode the ferris wheel.  She later said that the Ferris wheel stopped at the top for a while. This was near water and those who know her will understand her discomfort with this. This was her first and only date with Jack. They were married in November 1944, and Jack was shipped out shortly thereafter. They stayed married through the first week on the 70th year.  Betty lived in many places. By her count she lived in or visited 45 states and lived in or visited forty-two different countries.  Despite her fear of water, she also accompanied Jack on thirteen cruises.

Betty had four children: Judy (Dick), Nancy who we lost too soon, Jim (Cindy) and Rick. At the time of her death she had six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Betty kept busy knitting wedding and baby afgans as well as doing many wedding and baby announcements using counted cross stich. Betty loved her church and her church family.  She was always ready to supply casseroles or Minestrone soup for an occasion.

Betty spent her later years at Brookdale Assisted living and made may friends there. She will be greatly missed by all her knew her.

Graveside service will be Friday, December 19th at 1:00 EST at Chattanooga National Cemetery.