She worked as a hostess, office manager, bank teller, Sara Coventry Jewelry and Tupperware home show hostess, but her vocation was being the best wife, home maker and mother for her children. Betty and Don took the family on annual camping vacations to New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming in the family van and pop-up tent camper making unbelievable memories, but the best being 3 trips in a row to Yellowstone National Park, riding the Silverton/Durango narrow gauge railroad numerous times, and a ride up Pike’s Peak on the tram in Colorado Springs. The family also went by passenger train to Milwaukee to see Don’s family almost every Christmas. In 1974, they settled in Silver City following her best friend, DeAun and husband, Ed Busby, where dad became employed at Busby Motors Chevy, Olds and Cadillac dealership. Betty and Don became avid square dancers, and once again Betty made all her dresses with matching shirts for Don. Betty loved dancing and accompanied Don on many Elks Lodge conventions and enjoyed the activities and comradery of the organization. But camping was their livelihood and they now enjoyed it with their motor home RV going many places with the Elks and on family adventures. Betty loved her grandchildren and helped care for all four of them when they were toddlers. They went on many camping trips with Dustin, Kelsey, Derek and Kendra who remember her special love and attention to them all. Betty loved her rat terrier named Harley who passed away after she went to the care center. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s and Dimentia set in several years after losing her husband and plagued her life until a stroke in May of 2021 rendered her unable to stay in her home any longer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don of 54 years, brother, Clifford C. Fehrenbach, Jr., sister-in-law Rose M. Fehrenbach, two nieces, Betty Linn Kloesel and Michelle Hoyo and her beloved Harley. She is survived by her son Donald C. Gnader and wife, Theresa; her daughter Sheryl Terrazas Wooton and husband, Bryce; grandchildren: Dustin B. Gnader and wife Amber, Kelsey Owen and husband, Wayne, Derek Brandt and Kendra Dalton and husband David. Great Grandchildren: Dustin M., Andrew and Jerrick Gnader; Christopher, Cameron, and Clayton Owen; Logan, Silas, Ezekiel and Zion Brandt; nephew: Clifford C. Fehrenbach, III; cousins Roxie Wells, Pat Wottrich and Eleanore Eyring; God son: Edwin E. Busby, Jr.; and her many loving caretakers, too numerous to name but especially Christine Bachand, Gi Gi Ellis and Jessica Morales.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 10th at 12noon at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with Pastor Mike Dyndiuk officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest by her husband Donald F. Gnader (’07). A Celebration of Life Fellowship meal will take place at the American Legion Post 18 on College Ave after the burial. Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory.