Betty M. Nolan

Betty M. Nolan passed away Feb. 17, surrounded by family at Columbia Basin Hospital in Ephrata. Betty was born Dec. 23, 1924 at Lynn, Ind. to William and Estelle Dale. She was an Army veteran of World War II. After moving to Washington she married Kermith "Rusty" Nolan in 1947. In 1954 Betty earned her nursing degree, graduating with the first Licensed Practical Nurse class in Washington State.

In 1958 she and Rusty moved to Soap Lake where they owned and operated the Basin Nursing Home for 17 years. She then worked at McKay Hospital in Soap Lake until her retirement. Betty was an active member of her community and a long time member of the Sun Lakes Rebekah Lodge. She loved crafts and enjoyed knitting and crocheting, often making hats and mittens for the local schools to give to children.

She shared her husband's love of the outdoors and enjoyed the time she spent fishing and camping. Hunting trips took her horseback riding into the wilderness of Idaho and riding snowmobiles in Canada. Always ready for a road trip, she loved traveling with family and friends. Zoos, aquariums and Reno were favorite destinations.

Betty is survived by her husband, Rusty; her daughters, Nicki (and Chuck) Williams of Longview, Sheryl (and Del) Parrott of Soap Lake and Karen Dillion (Roy Merdanian III) of Soap Lake. Sisters, Faye "Ruth" Hill of St. Helens, Ore., Maxine (Stan) Pinilla of Bremerton and Lynda (Jack) Elliot of Hutchinson, Kan., 11 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren (and two more due this summer) and one great-great-grandchild also due this summer.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, two sisters, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 4, 11 a.m. at Nicole's Funeral Home, Ephrata. Her beloved friends are invited to join the family in a reception commemorating her life. Please join us at Don's Banquet Room in Soap Lake following the service.