Betty Jean (Wann) Malcom passed from this life early morning on December 12, 2017 at the age of 94 at the Guardian Angel Home in Lewiston, due to infirmities of age.

Betty was born to Loren B. and Grace M. Wann. In her own words:

 “I was born April 14, 1922, GOOD FRIDAY. Dr. E. L. White delivered me at White’s Hospital, Lewiston, Idaho and was assisted by two doctors from the Mayo Clinic… I weighed almost 8 pounds and was 20 inches long, and a month overdue. (I’ve always been slow.)

 Daddy named me Betty Jean, Ugh! There were fourteen babies in the hospital during our month’s stay. Twelve were girls named Betty – Betty Jean, Betty Lou, Betty Ann, Betty Jane, etc. Mother wanted to name me Loretta Bertha, so I guess I lucked out.

Mother and I were in the hospital thirty days. … He did a lot of diaper changing and all the laundry until my mother was strong enough to resume her duties. He immediately dubbed me “Stink Bug” and called me that affectionately the rest of his life. Of course, I answered to Honey and Sweetie, too. I was a spoiled brat.”

Betty was the only child to Loren and an addition to Grace’s brood of half-siblings Helen (Nelson), Wilma (Pearson) and Roy Phillips. The children all got along well and treated the new baby with love and attention.

”I met Kermit Malcom the summer before my senior year. He was so handsome and so wonderful to me. He took me everywhere I wanted to go, even though I had many boys who asked me to go with them.”

Betty graduated from LHS in 1940 and then attended Lewiston Business College. After business college, she worked for the Homer Lipps Insurance company until the War came along.

She and Kermit were married June 15, 1941 at the Episcopal Church in Lewiston. They lived in a little house on 10th St. WWII started and everyone was effected. Their first child, Sandra Jo, was born May 1942. Kermit joined the Navy and served two years at West Coast Naval Hospitals as a Pharmacists Mate.

Betty’s father became ill and responsibilities to carry on the family business fell to her. Kermit eventually was given a “hardship” release and came home. The second daughter, Kristin Wann, was born December 1944. After a year, Kermit went to Mortuary College in San Francisco. Meanwhile child number three, K. Michael, was born June 1947. Their fourth child, William S., was born June 1949.

For the next 36 years they led a very, very good life in Lewiston. We were recently asked what Betty did for work during her life, the answer was she was a wonderful mother of four and was married to Kermit, a force of nature. They worked hard and led a very full life.

She was involved in all the children’s activities, girl scouts, cub scouts, boy scouts, swimming lessons, then Job’s Daughters, high school sports and so on.

She was very active in the annual March of Dimes, The Order of the Eastern Star and helped with many volunteer efforts, the least of which was helping Kermit with whatever he had brewing at the moment.

Once the kids finished college, Betty and Kermit bought a trailer, then a cabin off of Lake Pend O’Reille, near Bayview. They spent many days and weeks enjoying the beautiful location. Of course, Kermit was always busy with projects. Betty kept him fed and ministered to his various injuries suffered in his endeavors.

They were able to travel the world some, visiting Mike in Germany where he was stationed in the 70’s. They also took trips with their friends and Rotary associates to China, the Orient and Europe. They particularly enjoyed rodeos and regularly travelled to Thompson Falls, Pendleton, Ellensburg and even Calgary.

Kermit had a series of ailments that eventually diminished his ability to get around. She was his constant companion, medical advocate, and care taker for several years until his death in 2000. She missed him dearly forever.

Betty enjoyed playing bridge and socializing with her many friends. She played into her 90’s, sometimes she won the dollar table stake.

Betty was always an easy conversationalist, she enjoyed social gatherings, she was a charming hostess and always encouraged family gatherings. When we visited her at the care center, she would say, “What can I fix you to eat?” Betty was a funny person who enjoyed giving and taking stories from her company and chuckled her way to heaven.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, of whom she was very proud; by her husband Kermit, daughters Sandra Jo Roberts and Kristin Harwick, Kris’ husband Marshall, and a great grand-daughter Kristina Jo Hund. Betty survived all of her close friends and she was thankfully unable to comprehend all of the losses.

She is survived by sons; K. Michael (Sharon) and Bill (Donna), grandchildren; Michael J. Roberts, Jami J. Hund (Brian), Sharma J. Bernard (Josh), Zachary Roberts, Marshall W. Harwick, Deanna Jo (Dedi) Christeson, Jason M. Harwick (Krista), Cristyl D. Garner (Aaron), Tori G. Franklin (Michael), Sarah A. Malcom (Dennis Price), Darcie Nelson, Erin Swanson (Jim), Quince H. Malcom, Misty A. Churchhill (Dean) and Scott Cary (Rachel). Twenty-six great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Betty was especially close to her niece Beverly Nelson who watched over her devotedly and rounded up the girls to play bridge. She is also survived by a niece Marigay Harkins and nephew Adrian Nelson. In addition, there are several other nieces and nephews and step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

As a family, we would like to thank Guardian Angel Home of Lewiston for the excellent care she received over the last couple of years. We are very appreciative of their kindnesses.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner’s Children Hospitals, 911 W. 5^th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204. She has been a constant supporter for many years.

A memorial service will be held Saturday January 28, at 11:00 a.m. at Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home. She will be interred with Kermit at the Normal Hill Cemetery at a later date.

Service Information

Date & Time

Saturday, January 28, 11:00 AM

Location

Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home
1711 18th Street
Lewiston, ID 83501

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1711 18th Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
P: (208) 743-4578
F: (208) 743-9453
E-mail: malcoms@malcomsfuneralhome.com

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