RICHLAND, WA, U.S.A.
U.S. ARMY
MAJOR,NURSE
08/18/2010, RICHLAND, WA
Betty Egbert, 56, passed away at her home on April 18, 2010, a victim of PTSD. Betty was born August 27, 1953 in Moses Lake to Billy and Frances Egbert.
She attended school in the Tri-Cities and graduated from Kennewick High School in 1971. Betty enlisted in the Army in 1972. After fulfilling her obligation, Betty attended Columbia Basin College and received and AA Degree in 1979.
In 1983 she joined the Army Reserves, where she later received her Nursing Degree from Clark College in 1989. In 1998 she received her Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude in Nursing from Graceland College.
Betty learned to play the violin while she was in elementary school and was an accomplished violinist. Growing up, Betty loved to play games. She was known for her honesty, a trait she carried throughout life. She would often tutor and help other students in school, but she would never allow anyone to copy her work.
In her youth, Betty developed a love for animals that would last through out her adult life. She was a member of 4-H and raised a black Angus calf that she called “Baby.” Oftentimes you would find “Baby” grazing or laying under a tree in the yard while Betty was nearby reading a book. Betty was afraid of what might happen to “Baby” were he to be sold at auction. She was able to find a private buyer that treated “Baby” as a pet.
From time to time Betty was called up to active duty. Her travels were extensive and while she was stationed in Germany her mother, Francis, joined her. Together they traveled throughout Europe. She was stationed in Germany, Micronesia, Laos, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. Every time service members were needed in a war zone, Betty would volunteer to serve. Because she had no children of her own, she often referred to the young men and women soldiers as “Her Kids.”
In 1991, she served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm administering health care to Iraqi prisoners of war. In 2003, Betty volunteered for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom where she spent 15 months as a Medical/Surgical (Trauma) Nurse. While she was there she was tasked with setting up a field hospital to provide medical aid to personnel injured by a bombing of the UN Building in Baghdad.
Betty worked at Kennewick General Hospital and most recently Kadlec Hospital where she touched many lives. She will truly be missed and will be remembered for her smile that could light up a room.
Betty left behind her three cats, Angel, Bailey and Taz. Betty was a kind person that loved her parents, friends and her Country.
She is survived by her Aunt Carol Trueax and Uncle Curt Buster, her special friends Sandi Johnson and Pam and Romar Swarner, as well as all of her friends from Operation Thank You, sisters and several cousins. Preceding her in death was her father, Billy Egbert, and her mother Francis Egbert.
Memorials may be made in her name to the Benton-Franklin Humane Society, 8620 West Gage Blvd., Kennewick, WA 99336. The Celebration of her life was held at the Community of Christ Church, on the corner of Swift Blvd, and Long, Richland, WA. The date was Sunday, May 16, 2010, at 3 pm. A potluck followed.