Betty Jean Thomas

Betty was born on July 26, 1928 in Healdsburg, CA, and passed away on Dec. 2, 2013 after a valiant battle against an autoimmune disease. She grew up in the Healdsburg area where she excelled in school; graduating from High School at the age of 16. During her high school years she picked prunes during the summers for five cents a box to earn extra money. After graduating from Business College, she worked as a bookkeeper for a large retail business and later at the "Redwood News" newspaper in Healdsburg.
Horses were a big part of Bettys early life. She broke and trained several and had stories to tell about each of them. Her favorite was a horse named Gaucho. He was a big chestnut gelding that was part Paso Fino on which she earned trophies riding in parades with her friend, Winkie as a matched pair. Betty had many miles in the saddle galloping through orchards, redwoods, and over hills around Mill Creek just west of Healdsburg where she grew up.
In 1952 she met the love of her life, Charlie, while visiting relatives in Humboldt County. Betty married Charles Thomas on Jan. 10, 1953 and together they made their home in Weott. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this year. Betty loved to travel and together they were able travel to every state in the U.S. and to several foreign countries.
Betty was an avid gardener. Her flowers and vegetable garden were a labor of love that brought her great joy. Everyone who visited enjoyed her beautiful yard. She was a member of the Southern Humboldt Garden Club for over 60 years; and a longtime member of the Iris Society and the California State Garden Club.
While her husband Charlie worked in the logging woods and later for Cal-fire, Betty stayed home on their small ranch. She not only raised their two children, Gary and Susan, but always had a herd of sheep, goats, or cows to look after. She was always busy and not afraid of hard work. After Charlie retired she spent several summers manning the fire lookout on Grasshopper.
Betty is survived by her daughter Susan and son-in-law Bill Etter of Petrolia and grandsons James and Benjamin Etter. She is preceded in death by her husband Charles, her son Gary Martin Thomas and grandson Gary Wayne Thomas, her parents Muriel and Jack Row.
Her Family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Jutila for all the extra time he spent with her during this past year. Wed also like to thank the staff and friends at Sequoia Springs in Fortuna for their care and friendship.
Funeral service will be held at Gobles Fortuna Mortuary, 560 12th St., Fortuna, California on Monday, December 9, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. where friends and family are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity.

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