Betty D. Bethel, 82, passed away Feb. 18 in her home in Salem, surrounded by loved ones.

She was born Dec. 4, 1935, in Ellis, Kan., to Fred and Jennie Knieling. She moved to Marion at a young age, moved to Antelope in 1952, then returned to the Willamette Valley to raise her family.

Together, Betty and her husband, Darrel, started a construction company, with Betty doing a lot of the finish work as well as keeping books. As the company grew, she became its bookkeeper.

Betty enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, and traveling. She was also an amazing quilter. Betty and Darrel lived in many places, settling on the east side of the state in their later years. Betty spent many years in Burns enjoying hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, mushroom hunting, and many long drives enjoying nature. Later, Betty and Darrel moved back to Antelope, where Betty spent most of her time tending her home. She moved back to the valley after Darrel’s passing in October 2016. She spent the last 10 months of her life happily making her house a home, working in her yard and being near her family.

Betty is survived by her three beautiful daughters, Susan (Dean) Swank of Burns, Cindy (Steve) Schmaltz of Salem, and Laurie (Alan) Jensen of Fort Myers, Fla.; brother, Jim Knieling of Salem; sister, Alvina Baker of Fresno, Calif.; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Darrel; daughters, Linda and Kathy; two brothers; and five sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Stayton. Contributions may be made to Kindred Hospice or Calvary Lutheran Church. North Santiam Funeral Service of Stayton is serving the family.