Betty Jean Eylar-Hanford

Betty Jean Eylar Hanford (née Klundt), born February 3, 1934, passed away surrounded by family August 14, 2025 at Mid-Valley Hospital in Omak, Washington. I know this will be hard for my family to write--so-I decided to write my own memorial. I, Betty, was born in Jamestown, North Dakota; the second daughter to Edward and Alvina Klundt and younger sister to Mavis. The four of us moved to Grand Coulee, WA when I was 3 years old. I went to all 12 years of school in Grand Coulee-starting in first grade with Denton Hanford and Frank Eylar a year ahead of us. I really enjoyed school, especially my High School years. I went to girl’s state as a Junior, was Apple Blossom Princess as a Senior. I had a radio show as a Junior and Senior with Denton Hanford. We were on KFDR radio station in Grand Coulee and the show was a half-hour show every Friday. We were the “Sage Dusters” and people would send in requests. We sang country and gospel songs. I started going with Frank Eylar when I was 15. He gave me his gold football pin on the evening after my Home-Economics style show. I married my High School love on October 24 th , 1953. He gave me four wonderful children that gave us equal amounts of happiness and worry, Steve, Tim, Daniel and Rebecca Jean. My life was lived to the fullest-I have no regrets. I loved to sing, dance, hike, hunt, fish, boating, camping, swimming, woodworking, remodeling, digging for artifacts and riding in our old pickup on any old mountain road or trail Frank could find “where-ever.” I loved my jobs in nursing and as a Lab Tech. I never tired of helping people. I loved to smile. I loved getting and giving hugs. I loved little kids and their sweet voices as they sang along with me and my autoharp. My life as I knew it was shattered when Frank left me for the Lord on a mountain top October 16, 1993. I should be so lucky as to leave on a “mountain-top”. After a few more years of work, with the support of my “Velcro” family, I made it out of my darkness. I found my life long friend and high school singing partner Denton Hanford and we decided to marry on June 21, 1998. I moved to Pateros, WA with Denton and we enjoyed companionship and travel until he too left me for the Lord on July 3, 2003. I felt so blessed to have two wonderful men in my life with such devotion. My Frank was one week short of forty years and Denton for five years. I moved back to a small apartment in Omak, WA one month prior to the large Loup-Loup Complex fires in 2014. I was able to, and managed, to stay in my apartment until my passing. I am survived by my beloved children, Steve (Marcy) Eylar, Tim (Jackie) Eylar, Dan (Susan) Eylar, and Becky (Ed) Arvin. My cherished grandchildren Jason (Missy) Eylar, Marc (Andi) Eylar, Ariane (James) Stroud, Amanda (Brice) Bilbo, Alyssa (Zack) Moreno, Kate (Brandon) Hebden, Sarah (Nick) Colhoff, Heather Winey-Eylar, Michael Eylar, Emilie Eylar. I am also survived and was blessed by many great grandchildren too numerous to list in addition to my social friends. So many names to remember and I loved you all so much. I will be joining those who preceded me in death, my husband Frank, my husband Denton, my parents, my sister Mavis, and one grandson, Alan Scott Arvin as well my favorite dog Willy and my cat Honey Bear. Now that is some really good company to share with the Lord. God Bless you all and remember what I liked best: SMILE! Don’t cry for me (too much). I had it all loving all of you! Mom, Grandma, GG and friend, NO REGRETS! Betty Jean ________________________________________________________________________ A service will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the River Valley Funeral Home located at: 2547 Elmway Okanogan, WA 98840 Celebration of life immediately to follow at Okanogan Grange located at 305 Tyee Street Okanogan, WA 98840

Betty Jean Eylar-Hanford

February 3, 1934 - August 14, 2025