Bette Louise Kovar was born in Los Angeles, CA on September 4, 1926 to Charlie Kovar
and Ella Joan Visse. Charlie was a Nebraska farm boy and Ella immigrated from Denmark with her family in 1910. Charlie delivered milk, and Ella was a housewife. Bette was a typical California girl, who loved the sun and beach. Sometime during high school, she decided she did not like spelling her name with a Y (Betty), so she changed it to Bette with an e.
Like most high school kids, she wanted to spread her wings and go away to college. She was able to convince her parents that Oregon State College was an ideal location. Academics did not really interest her, but the social life did, and what she wanted in life was to be a wife and a mother. As fate would have it at the ice cream shop just off campus, she would meet a certain sheepherder from Wyoming. That young man was Joe Geraud, who happened to be in Oregon serving in the Navy ROTC.
She married Joseph R. Geraud on August 25, 1945 at St. Mary’s Church in Fullerton California.
Joe enrolled at the University of Wyoming in the fall of 1946, and Bette told the story proudly about how she had to learn to operate and cook upon a wood stove, provided by the University in Veterans Village (married student housing). For a city girl this was all quite new. Grandma Geraud, who immigrated from Spain, was not too sure about her boy marrying a city girl. In fact, all her boys married city girls. She thought that all her boys’ wives should spend 2 years living in a sheep wagon like she did when she married Joe’s dad, Jacque .
Being married to a Naval officer they spent a few years moving around and living in various places before Joe took a position at the University of Wyoming Law College. Serving in the Naval Reserve the family would go to Washington D.C. for 2 weeks every summer. Bette would take their two boys, Gary and John, to see the sights while Joe was working.
During the1960’s-1970’s in addition to taking care of the house, chauffeuring kids, attending school functions, etc. she was active in a bridge club and antiquing. One of her favorite places was called Mr. Price’s in Nebraska. Whenever the family went through there they had to stop. She collected numerous different things, such as cranberry glass, antique butter pats, miniatures, and art. Joe loved to buy her jewelry and Bette loved to receive and wear it, proudly!
Raising her boys, Gary, John and Jim, was her life’s work. Gary was the oldest and kept life interesting for Bette and Joe, by keeping busy with cars, hunting, and his ability to always find the next thing to do. For Gary, he was the active, cheerful, and proud first born.
John, being the middle son, showed his prowess in sports, with Bette always cheering him on, and was a typical teenager who made Bette proud of him in sports and life. He went on to become an engineer and is able to build almost anything, which she spoke about often.
Jim, the youngest was doted upon by Bette more than his brothers because he was ‘the baby’. Jim is the family tech expert who was called upon to help with technology on many an occasion.
“Mimi” as everyone called her, spent her life adoring and doting on her boys, grandchildren and “great grands” as she used to call them…. they were her pride and joy. She could never get enough time with all of them, but loved every minute of the time she spent with them.
After the boys all left home Bette began collecting tole painting, and also learned how to do tole painting. She also began quilting in her later years. Determined not to grow old she kept up with new technology. She had her own iPad, Kindle and a current iPhone. Since she refused to get rid of her long fingernails operating the touchscreen proved a constant source of challenge! Bette LOVED fashion and clothes and was always “done up” and wanted to look her best, and she did!
On June 15, 2020, we finally lost her to coronary artery disease at the age of 94. She was survived by her husband of 74 years Joseph R. Geraud, her sons and spouses Gary (Lea), John (Linda), Jim (Cynthia); daughter-in-law, Lea Geraud; along with 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Inurnment of Joe and Bette Geraud will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the family plot at Mountain View Cemetery. Military Honors for Joe will be accorded.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Funeral Home.