Tributes

Bettie was born on May 15th, 1932 in Chicago to Howard and Hilda Plowe (nee Siebs). She and her mother moved to Springfield, Missouri in 1934 and then to Denver, Colorado in 1938, where she graduated from South High School in 1950. Receiving a Methodist Scholarship, Bettie attended Denver University until June, 1953. She showed a continuing interest in art and education during high school and university. Bettie then transferred to Michigan State College, receiving a degree in art and biology in 1954. She returned to Denver and taught art in junior high school during the 1955-56 academic year. In May, 1956, she married James Dupbernell in Denver. The couple moved to the Seattle area during the summer because Bettie had a new teaching position at Issaquah. Her marriage was tragically ended on Labor Day, 1956, when Jim died in a climbing accident at Harrison Lake, British Columbia. Bettie met Keith Muckleston in 1960 at a folkdancing center in Seattle's University District. They were married August 19, 1961 on Mercer Island, Washington. Bettie continued to teach art at Issaquah Junior High School while Keith was in graduate school at the University of Washington. They moved to Corvallis in late December, 1963 where Keith started teaching at OSU during the Winter Quarter of 1964. Bettie remained a Corvallis resident since then, although of course accompanying the family during sabbatical leaves in Washington DC and Freiburg, Germany. After her three children were well established in school, Bettie became a travel agent with Pathfinder Travel. she enjoyed this position immensely, "helping people travel the world," retiring in 1995 after decades of service. During her tenure at Pathfinder Travel, she became a frequent traveler to foreign countries, sometimes with other agents on promotional tours and other times with Keith to professional meetings. It was a symbiotic relationship between a travel agent and a geographer. After Keith's retirement in 1997, they continued to travel for another decade, ending with Bhutan and Antarctica. Bettie always wanted to be helpful, especially to those in need and the disadvantaged. As a result, she did volunteer work for various causes and organizations through much of her time in Corvallis. As recently as two years ago, she enjoyed volunteering at the Drop-in Center. She was also an ardent supporter of the Benton County Democrats. Bettie was a long-time member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, and was especially interested in the activities of the Women's Fellowship. Bettie died peacefully on May 11th, in Corvallis. During the several weeks before her death, she had frequent visits from family and friends. She maintained her sense of humor to the end. She is survived by her husband Keith, three daughters in the greater Portland area, Holly Johnson, Kerry Zambrano, and Carol Congdon, and by numerous grandchildren whom she dearly loved. The family wished to thank Holistic Hands Care for the loving care Bettie received during the last several months of her life. Memorial donations in Bettie's name may be directed to the Alzheimers Association of Oregon in care of the McHenry Funeral Home at 206 NW 5th, Corvallis, OR 97330. A memorial service and celebration of Bettie's life will take place at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 4515 SW West Hills Road in Corvallis on May 30th at 1pm.

Tributes

Elizabeth "Bettie" Marie Muckleston

May 15, 1932 - May 11, 2015