Bette Irene Balefske

The family of Bette Irene Balefske sadly announces that she has passed away.  She left this earth peacefully, surrounded by her daughters on February 27, 2018 after a brief illness.  Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 5, 1935, Bette was the youngest of the nine children of Carl and Alice Balefske.

After leaving Utah, Bette set out for a life of travel and adventure, moving to Idaho, Washington, Alaska, Arizona, and finally making her way to California.  She worked as a waitress, bookkeeper, certified document examiner, and salesperson.  One story often told about her journey was that she moved to Alaska in December and later on to Scottsdale, Arizona on the Fourth of July, where she was a success at selling fur coats to snowbirds.

Bette had many passions in life, including ballroom dancing, sailing on cruises, and handwriting analysis, but her greatest passion was her love for her family.  She had a keen sense of humor, as shown by this portion of speech she once gave: “I was married and then I wasn’t, then I was married and then I wasn’t married.  While married, I had four children.  My eldest and only son was born on his 15th birthday.  My eldest daughter is now older than I am, but I assure her she is still beautiful.  Even though people don’t ask, I know they think my 2nd daughter—third child—and I are twins.  My youngest daughter was born on my son’s 15th birthday so that makes them born on the same day.”

Beyond her humor, Bette’s unconditional love and open and generous heart endeared her not only to her own immediate family circle but also to her extended family of nieces, nephews, and all their children, not to mention her many close and long-time friends and companions.

Bette was predeceased by her parents, her sisters, and two children; Shauna Bennett in 2005, and Jerry Jackson in 2017.  She is survived by daughters Jody Klatt and Cheryl Sweeney, as well as ten grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, with three more due in October.  She is also survived by many close friends whom we know she misses dearly.

Friends are invited to attend the visitation on Thursday March 8, 2018 from 11:30AM-12:30PM with the memorial service at 12:30PM all at Price Funeral Chapel (6335 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights, 916-725-2109). Interment Fair Oaks Cemetery. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bette Irene Balefske, please visit our floral store.