Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Severson, beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 90, on Thursday, November 2nd, in her own home, holding the hand of her husband and surrounded by her children.
Betty was born to Nye and Marie Bristol on June 21, 1927, in Silverton, Oregon. At age three, she moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, where her father started the only hardware store in town. As a young woman, she worked in the family hardware store, owned and loved horses, and plotted adventures with her brother, Bob. After she graduated from Hillsboro High School, she attended Oregon State University for two years before transferring to the University of Oregon. At the UO, she studied biology and met the love of her life, Don Severson, who had returned from WWII. They met on a blind date and remained blindly in love forever after, enjoying 68 wonderful years of marriage together.
Throughout those years, Betty graduated from the UO, gave birth to her daughter, Gay Marie Severson Sommer (married to Brian Sommer), to her first son, Kenneth Edward Severson, (married to Vicki Worthey Severson), and to her second son, Ronald Nye Severson (married to Christa Danielson). She held down the fort at home, substitute taught in the Roseburg School District, became an avid golfer, and devoted her life to her family, to Christ through St. George’s Episcopal Church, and to the community through PEO. Betty loved to camp and travel with her husband, family, and friends, and she especially loved the Oregon Coast. She lit up the room and the hearts of those around her with her smile and laughter.
Betty lived through much physical hardship during the last decade of her life, yet did so gracefully, always cared for by her husband, Don. She always said, “When I fall, I never break; I just bounce.” This time, she bounced high, into the hands of God. Besides her husband, her three children and their spouses, Betty is survived by her four grandchildren, Torben Severson, Toland Severson, Elizabeth Severson, and Erik Severson, and three great grandchildren, Elle, Anya, and Aaron, all of whom share Betty’s great energy and joy for life. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Bob Bristol, of Bend, Oregon.
A viewing of our beloved wife, mother, and friend, Betty Severson, will be held at the Chapel of the Roses in Roseburg this Thursday, November 9th, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Please join us. A Memorial service will be held Saturday, November 25th, at 11 A.M. At Saint George's Episcopal Church in Roseburg. Reception to follow in the fellowship hall. Please visit www.wilsonschapeloftherosesfh.com to leave the family fond memories and condolences. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. George’s Episcopal Church in Roseburg or to the church or community organization of your choice.