Betty Lou Ward

Betty Lou Ward, 95 peacefully departed this world to be with her Lord and Savior on March 8th, 2024.

Betty was born on June 19th, 1928, in La Grande, OR to Earl C. Courtney and Mildred L. Courtney (Murray). She attended school in La Grande where she met her future husband, Ben Ward. Years later she jokingly retold their “Love” story to her children and how she remembered saying she just “hated” those Ward boys. In June of 1945, she had a change of heart, married Ben and spent 57 years together. They were blessed with four children. Betty was a loving mother, homemaker and wife while raising their family in Tygh Valley and Moro.

Betty enjoyed many hours of crafting gifts for family and friends. She loved to read, play games, paint, traveling in their camper and cooking spaghetti and stroganoff were among her specialties. Volksmarches took them on many walking adventures around the Pacific Northwest and Germany.

Betty was a long-time member at the Tygh Valley Methodist Church and later at the Gateway Church in The Dalles.

Betty is survived by her son Dana Ward (Gayle); daughters Kathleen Kirby (Chris) and Julie Carter (Clayton); grandchildren Christopher Ward (Diana), Rebecca Pearson (Andy), Maire Kirby and Sean Kirby (Elizabeth); great grandchildren Cora Kirby.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Ward in June 2002, parents Earl and Mildred Courtney and son Scott Ward in December 2023.

Love is Forever.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Spencer, Libby and Powell Gathering Hall Saturday April 6th, 2024 at 12:00 pm. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, OR which will be well deserved and appreciated.