Betty Wyoming Christiansen, longtime Madera, California resident, passed away peacefully with loving family in attendance at Madera Community Hospital on May 15, 2019, at the age of 79.
Born Wyoming Williams on March 26, 1940 in Sugar Creek, Arkansas to Martin H. Williams, Jr. and Deffie May (Garner) Williams, she went all her life as Betty. While she would long refer to herself as an “Arkie” (especially when excusing her cooking), at an early age Betty moved with her mother to California, living as a child in Firebaugh, Madera, and Watsonville. It was in Watsonville while celebrating her 15th birthday that Betty met the love of her life, Robert Begtrup Christiansen. Betty and Bob were married July 9, 1955 in the Castroville garden of Bob’s parents, Oscar and Nettie (Mason) Christiansen. Over the next three decades they lived in many cities, including Albany, Salinas, Concord, and Nevada City, before finally settling in Madera in 1985.
Together Betty and Bob raised two spirited daughters, Karen Patricia and Joyce Ann; and also, from the age of four, Betty’s youngest sister Kathy May Gray.
Betty was famously spirited herself. She was at ease outdoors: riding horses, camping in the Sierras or at the Canadian border, or driving cross-country jaunts – though she preferred to watch her family ski from the warmth of a lodge. While her children were in high school, she earned an AA degree at Hartnell College, Salinas. Later she learned to fly Cessnas and became a private pilot. She enjoyed Lake Tahoe, the shows and gambling in Reno, and parties of all kinds. Betty was also an avid reader who instilled her love for books in her children and grandchildren.
Betty and Bob were frequent visitors to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they enjoyed the weather, culture, and longtime friends they made. Indeed, Betty’s mischievous sense of humor seemed to make her friends everywhere she went. Her vivacious presence will be greatly missed.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Billie Joe Porter, Gerald Wayne Porter, and Paul Roy Gray; and her first born infant son, George Frederick Christiansen.
Betty is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bob; her daughters Karen (Torin) Blumst and Joyce (David) Bashford; her sisters Lola Dias, Juanita “JJ” Casserd, and Kathy Empasis; and a multitude of beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She took great joy and comfort in the love of her longtime friend and neighbor Terry Arellano. She also leaves behind her adored grandchildren Jonathon Bashford, Robert Bashford, Thomas Bashford, Kristin Bashford, Erik Blumst, and Anders Blumst; and her great-grandchildren Sophia, Charlotte, and Henry Bashford.
A funeral service and celebration of Betty’s life will be held at Jay Chapel, Madera, on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 1:00 pm. Private burial to follow at Arbor Vitae, Madera, on Monday, June 3, 2019