Betty Jane Kulm
Betty Jane Kulm passed away at Orchard Crest Retirement Community on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Spokane, Washington at the age of 96.
November 5, 1926 – November 6, 2022
Betty Jane Kulm passed away at Orchard Crest Retirement Community on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Spokane, Washington at the age of 96.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1926, in Libby, Montana. She was one of four children and lived there for 10 years. Her family moved to Eastern Washington where they lived in Waverly, Sprague and Lind, Washington. Following high school she worked at Spokane Air Technical Service Command (now Fairchild AFB) for two years as a mail clerk.
She returned to Lind in 1946 when she married Fred J. Kulm, a dryland wheat farmer. She loved the farm and living in the country. Moving to the farm was a new experience as she was without electricity, indoor plumbing and telephone service for the first four years. She resided there for 68 years.
Betty and her husband Fred raised two boys and two girls on the farm. She was a Girl Scout leader and was active in the Lind Women’s Club, Good Hope Lutheran Church, the food bank, Meals on Wheels and the Ronald McDonald House in Spokane, Washington, where she volunteered for 30-plus years. She loved to travel, bake, garden and swim. After her husband’s death in 1995, Betty was a snowbird in Apache Junction, Arizona for 10 years.
Betty was preceded in death by her father Everett Oylear, mother Ruth Oylear, husband Fred J. Kulm, son Curtis Kulm and grandson Joshua Kulm. Betty is survived by children Connie (Karl) Meilke, Fred M. Kulm and Debbie (Leonard) Rausch; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty will be dearly missed by all who had the honor to know her.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to Ronald McDonald of Spokane, Washington. The family would like to thank Orchard Crest Retirement Community and Horizon Hospice of Spokane, Washington for the outstanding care provided to Betty. A private graveside service was held Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at the Lind Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Danekas Funeral Home, Ritzville, Washington.