Betty Ann Garvey

“I wish people didn’t die; but when you die in the world, you don’t die in your families’ hearts.” Piper Cole

Betty Ann Garvey passed away peacefully on Oct. 14, 2025, with her daughters and family members by her side. She was born on Sept. 13, 1928, in Ponca, Neb., to Paul Harry Engel and Neva Jane Roberts. She was even born in the same room that her father was born in. Betty and her family moved from Nebraska to Montana and eventually they made their way to Colville, Wash., where they made their home.

Betty graduated from Colville High School in 1946 and shortly after, she met the love of her life, James Richard “Dick” Garvey, at a community dance. They were married on Jan. 15, 1947. Together they lived in Colville, Wash., where they started their family and were blessed with four daughters.

For over 10 years, Betty drove buses for Colville Schools and even drove some of her own grandchildren. She never let her small stature scare her away from those big buses. She was very involved in numerous activities and was a member with multiple organizations where she put in a lot of time and energy. Some of these include being a 4-H Leader, Stevens County Cowbells member, Washington Mills Home Ec club member and a lifetime member of the Fort Colville Grange.

Betty loved being outdoors farming and ranching, raising livestock and especially running all the farm equipment. After her and Dick retired from the farming and ranching life, Betty spent a lot of time working in the flower and vegetable gardens. She loved mowing her lawn on her riding lawn mower and did so even at the age of 97, much to the dismay of her family.

She cherished her family time and loved it when everyone, including extended family, could come together and enjoy each other’s company. She especially loved being a great and great-great grandma. Her eyes lit up when the little ones would come and visit and when she could, she would join in the play time.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Dick, her parents Paul and Neva, her sisters Dolly Bar and Pauline Saffel, and her son-in-law Steve Heater. She is survived by her daughters Marilyn (Monte) Ogden of Colville, Nancy Heater of Colville, Patty (Charlie) Benner of Enderlin, N.D., Jerry Garvey of Colville, seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, numerous great-great grandchildren and her nieces and nephews.

The family of Betty Garvey would like to invite you to join them for the Graveside services at Mountain View Park Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. with a gathering after at the Fort Colville Grange. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made In Memory of Betty Garvey, to the Colville FFA Chapter at Colville High School.