BETTY JO KOWSKE Betty Kowske, beloved mother, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2001, after a 2 year battle with lung cancer. Betty was born June 2, 1939, in Hamlin, TX to J. W. and Alene Vance. She moved to Richland in 1942 and went to Richland High.

In 1958, Betty married Stanley Kowske and became a military wife living in France and Germany.  They had one daughter.  she moved back to Richland in 1968.

Betty worked in a couple of jobs before working at Exxon/Siemens for 25 years, from which she retired when she became ill. After her divorce from Stan, Mom became a very independent, strong person who loved remodeling and landscaping. She was always tearing into something. Mom loved her garden and her ponds. We traveled and went on cruises but couldn’t stay gone for long because of our kids. – the cats and dogs. They are her grandkids. Mom looked forward to meeting the pets that passed on at the Rainbow Bridge for a joyous reunion. She has gone to meet Ding, Brandy, Shasha, Squirrel, Tuffy, Tai, Bandit, Cece, Cuddles and Casper. It was us against the world. Mom would do anything for me and the kids. Mom loved to go to the coast. It rejuvenated her. Her most thrilling moment was when we where surrounded by Orcas while in a small boat. Mom was a private and loving person who had a few very close friends. Mom had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. She was a great lady and a busy lady and a wonderful mother that gave her life to me.

She belonged to the Mid-Columbia Koi Club and volunteered for unfest and at the Goodwill Games.

She is survived by : daughter, Lynn Kowske, Richland; mother, Alene Vance, Richland; sister, Willie Vance, Richland; brother, J. W. Vance, Jr. and wife, Melba, Grand Prairie, TX; niece, Kristi Brinkerhoff, Richland; nephew, Kevin Brinkerhoff and wife, Patti, Richland; nieces and nephews from Texas:  Tommy, Jeff, Mike, Susan, Gary, Alan and Ricky; aunts and uncles, Willie Jack Phillips, Lubbock, TX; Doris and Yule Ulmer, Hobb, NM; Bonnie and Red Vance, Hobbs, NM; and good friends, Eileen Logman and Helen Krajcik.

She was preceded in death by her father, J. W. Vance, Sr.; her ex-husband, Stan Kowske; her friend, Ed Blanten; her grandparents; and 5 uncles.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2001, at Einan’s Funeral Home.

Donation may be made to the Benton Franklin Humane Society, 8620 W. Gage Blvd. Kennewick, WA 99336.