Betty Jean Wendt
Betty Jean “BJ” Wendt passed away on October 30, 2022 at the age 82 surrounded by her family. Betty Jean was born in Sunnyside, WA, to Charles Winant & Minnie (Winant) Cox. Betty Jean spent her early years as a true country girl at heart. She grew up on a huge turkey farm and surrounded by animals. She went on to receive her education in Grandview and graduated with the Class of 1958. Betty Jean married shortly out of high school to Hubert Metteer, Jr. and had 4 children; Lonnie, Larry, Marla & Suzanne. They made their home in Sunnyside for 10 years until the marriage ended. Betty Jean then returned to school and became a nurse. Betty Jean later met & married Lowell Wendt in June 1971. The family relocated to Grandview where they made their home for the next 44 years until her husband, Lowell, passed. Betty Jean then moved to Tri Cities to be near her family.
Betty Jean worked as a nurse for many years in area hospitals, nursing homes and home health. After retiring in 1995, Betty Jean really enjoyed spending more time on her hobbies; vintage shopping, needle point and traveling the back roads with her husband, Lowell. Betty Jean also loved a good hot cup of coffee all day long and meeting new people.
Betty Jean is survived by her family: son, Larry Metteer; daughters, Marla (John) Schab, Suzanne (Marty) Homan; Grandchildren, Chandra Henderson, Sara (Vance) Horn, Johnna (Laiten) Schroeder, Macauley (Megan) Homan, Joshua (Skyler) Homan, Miles Metteer & Megan (Sheldon) Weddle; 9 great-grandkids along with several nieces, nephews & cousins.
She is proceeded in death by both her parents: Charles Winant, Minnie Cox; step-father, Gordon Cox; brother, Vern Kosta; sisters, Elaine Nielsen, Geraldine Sprague; husband: Lowell Wendt; son, Lonnie Metteer and sadly several other family members .
Special thank you to everyone that helped with our mom: Mid Columbia Meal on Wheels, Dial-A-Ride, Dr Khawandi and Dr Pierce & amazing staff at Lourdes Hospital.
The family has chosen to have private family gathering. In lieu of flowers, donations or memorials please consider the Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels or your favorite non-profit charity.