On October 26, 1934, Thomas Towerson and Jen Sena Maria (Nelson) Gunson, of Plankinton, South Dakota, welcomed their youngest of eight children, Betty Jane Gunson. Betty grew up with older siblings Mary, Roger, John, Hazel, Ardene, Lester and Doris.
On April 17, 2022, Betty passed away in Sweet Home, having lived a full life filled with family and good friends. Betty is remembered for a feisty spirit, quick wit, sense of humor, devotion to her family and friends, and love of quilting.
Betty attended high school in Junction City, where she was a cheerleader. There she met the love of her life, Dean LeClerc. They married August 7, 1952 in Harrisburg, shortly before Dean deployed to Korea. 

She moved to California while he was stationed in Korea, and returned to Junction City while pregnant with their first son. Upon Dean’s return from the military, they lived in Junction City, then Lacomb, eventually purchasing a home outside of Sodaville, where they raised their five kids. Betty worked for the Sweet Home School District at Liberty Elementary and Holley Elementary before transferring to the Junior High where she worked until her retirement. Those years also saw many summer weekends at rodeos supporting Dean’s bull riding, bronc riding, bull-dogging, cow milking, and calf roping. 
Her retirement afforded her the time to engage in her passion, which was quilting. Family and friends received many of her quilts over the years.

Betty is survived by her children: Thomas and his wife Kim of Spokane, Washington, Robert and his wife Teresa, of Turner; Julie and her husband Clint of Battle Ground, Washington; David and his wife Kathy, of Portland, Jeffrey and his wife Merri, of Independence. She was a wonderful Grandmother to her many beloved grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her spouse Royal Dean LeClerc; her parents; siblings: Roger, John, Lester; Mary, Hazel, Ardene and Doris.

Memorial service will be 10:00 am Saturday April 23rd at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Inurnment will take place following the service at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lebanon, Oregon.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com