Betty Basche

Betty Basche, 80, of Richland, Oregon died on Friday, June 23, 2023 at her home with her children at her side.  A Memorial Service-Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at the Eagle Valley Grange (11:00 AM) with Interment at the Eagle Valley Cemetery. The service is public and friends are invited to join the family for a potuck reception immediately following the Interment at the Eagle Valley Grange in Richland.

Betty Lou Basche was born on December 30, 1942 in Robinette, Oregon.  She was raised in Robinette, later moving to Richland where she graduated high school. While in high school she enjoyed 4-H, riding horses, playing sports, and cheerleading among other activities. Betty was Queen of the Pine Valley Rodeo in 1958.

Betty married Ken Miller on June 16, 1962; they had two children; daughter Kail Sue (aka,Pookie) and son Bob (aka, Sonny Man).  She was a loving and caring mom. Betty was also a beloved Aunt.

Betty enjoyed caring for her animals and was always willing to help others. Betty worked in many roles at Stater Brothers grocery store in California.  She also was a Registered Nurse (RN) at Redlands Community Hospital specializing in Labor and Delivery; caring for her patients as though they were family.

Betty returned to Richland in 1997. She was married to Warren Whitnah after her return. Later, Betty was able to reside in the house that she had grown up in. Betty was able to share the history of Robinette with many people. 

Betty never knew a stranger.  She will be remembered as being a kind, loving and adventurous woman.  Betty loved to travel. She enjoyed taking pictures like her father, Pete Basche. Betty always had a love for animals and was always willing to help others.  She rode her horses all over Eagle Valley. Her motto was “Grab a root and growl”.

She was preceded in death by her parents Pete Basche and Ernestine Engstrom.  

Betty is survived by her brother Pete M. Basche (Kennewick, WA); her children Kail Sue Miller-Myers (Richland, OR); Bob Miller (Paso Robles, CA); 4 grandchildren Shawn Patrick Mitchell (Frisco, TX), Kipp Edwin Miller-Marhefka (Pendleton, OR), Ande Elaine Miller (Paso Robles, CA) and Megan Elizabeth Miller (Paso Robles, CA); 4 great grandchildren Milo Mitchell, Meaven Mitchell, Carsyn Miller, and Kaydence Sue Miller.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Betty, the family suggests Best Friends (animal rescue and adoption) or the Rachel Center (unwed mothers) through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com