Long-time Sweet Home resident, Betty Jean Bascom, age 86, passed away May 22, 2010. She was born April 8, 1924 in Redfield, South Dakota to Menzo and Nona (Mannings) Akin.

Betty began her 58 years of marriage to Fred Stiner Bascom in Redfield, South Dakota. They moved to the Northwest at the start of World War II and were both employed for a time in the Portland shipyards building naval vessels. They settled in Sweet Home in 1944 where Betty resided until her passing.

She was a long-time employee of the telephone company, starting as a switchboard operator on a manual switchboard. She ended a 32-year career in 1987 when the Centurytel office in Sweet Home closed.

Betty collected all sorts of unusual things. She took up drawing later in life with her grandchildren. She enjoyed the outdoors, planting trees, fishing and hunting with Fred, and camping with friends and family. She taught an exercise class at the senior center and could be seen on daily walks in an endless variety of hats.

She is survived by: her daughters, Loretta Ward and Debbie Duncan of Sweet Home; grandchildren, Mikeal Buttenhoff, Jason Duncan, and Theresa Aman; and great-granddaughters, Aleeya Buttenhoff, Madison, and Ashley Duncan.

Betty was preceded in death by: her husband, Fred (April 16, 1999); her grandson, Randy Buttenhoff; three brothers; and seven sisters.

A memorial service celebrating Betty’s life will be held at 11:30 am Saturday, June 5, at Hillside Fellowship in Sweet Home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.