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Angel Betes

| August 28, 2024 2:07 PM

Angel Betes Buesa, 85, of Moses Lake, Washington, went to his rest in Jesus on Aug. 18, 2024. He was born on March 1, 1939 at home to Edwardo and Auncia Betes in Undues Pintano, Zaragoza, Spain and was one of nine children. 

In October 1962, Angel and his brother Joe followed his brothers Sebastian and Alfred to America. Their destination was Bakersfield, California, where they worked as shepherds for the next four years. He shepherded flocks of up to 2,000 sheep during the fall and winter. Angel traveled with his flock from Bakersfield to the Mojave Desert to Mono Lake. He and Joe were able to spend summers together in the Mono Lake area with their flocks, fishing and gathering earthworms, which they sold for spending money. 

Angel later worked for various hay farmers in Rosamond and Lancaster, California. He saved his money until he was able to move to Central Washington where his brother Sebastian was farming. In 1974, Angel purchased his own farm in Ephrata, Washington where he farmed until his retirement in 2000. 

Angel will be remembered as a hard-working shepherd and farmer, but more importantly a kind, compassionate father, loving grandfather and devoted husband. He loved gardening, fishing,  camping and the great outdoors as well as WWE RAW (Monday night wrestling). He was known in his neighborhood as the bike-riding grandpa who was ready to help in any way he could. He loved to make people laugh with his stories and jokes. One of his favorites was "The early bird catches the worm and the late bird goes to the mall," and he loved singing silly songs in Spanish with his granddaughter. He worked tirelessly on the sprawling grounds of his church. He was truly a man of faith, sharing his love for Jesus every chance he had. 

He is survived by his loving wife Gracie; daughter Christine Bentley; granddaughter Shae Bentley; brother Sebastian (Bea); nephews Sebastian Jr. (Melissa), Joseph (Dayna) and Michael (Carly); and niece Laura. Siblings in Spain include sisters Filo and Mari and brothers Joaquin, Jesus and Miguel along with numerous nephews and nieces. 

Angel is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Alfred and Joe and his nephew Andrew. 

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at 4 p.m. at the Moses Lake Adventist Church, 1601 W. Valley Road, Moses Lake, Washington. A meal will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Angel to the Moses Lake Adventist Church. 

You are invited to share a memory or express your thoughts for the family at pioneermemorialgardens.com. Arrangements were made by Pioneer Memorial Services of Moses Lake.