Betty Jean Sheppard passed from this earth on the afternoon of March 20th, 2016. Betty passed in her home on Dethman Ridge Road surrounded by her family.
Betty was the oldest child of Gertrude and Walter Bloom. The family moved from Shenandoah, Iowa to Odell, Oregon in the late 1930’s. Betty attended school in Odell. She worked with her mother to help raise her sisiters Laquita Bloom, Miriam Bloom Raschko and her brother Earl Dean Bloom. She went on to be trained as a licensed beautician.

Betty married Robert Bell Sheppard in 1948. They moved into a small home across the road from the family orchard on Dethman Ridge Road. They soon moved to a small home in the family orchard. In 1950, Betty and Bob welcomed their first son, David, into the world. A daughter, Bobbie was born in 1952. Dan was born two years later.

Betty and Bob worked through some frugal years as the orchard and the children grew. Betty found time to work as a coordinator for the Home Extension Service. She also worked for many years on the County Election Board.

Through the years Betty developed her extraordinary skills as a seamstress. She made clothes for her family. She made full sets of bridesmaid dresses. She made many of the familiar black and white checkered Crag Rat shirts with the matching hats. Betty was a highly accomplished seamstress.
Her proudest moments were the weddings of Dan and Cindy and then Tom and Bobbie in the front yard of the family home. Betty felt there could be nothing better than a bigger family. The births of her grandsons, Cameron and Christopher Adams filled her with joy.

Bob and Betty bought full interest in the orchard in the 1970’s as Bob’s older brother George decided to retire. Bob ran the orchard until Dan was ready to take over the responsibility in the late 70’s. Betty was, to her last hours, an essential, active and knowledgeable part of the business.

Betty’s skill as a seamstress evolved into a love of quilting. She insisted in doing it the way her mother had taught her. All of the intricate parts were cut and sewn together by hand. She continually insisted the quilts were “nothing so special”. It took some encouragement for Betty to show her quilts publically. She won many awards for her work. She was very proud of this well-deserved recognition.
Betty is best remembered for her unconditional love of her family and home. She dedicated her life to the service of those she loved. Her love was made visible by her strength, courage, wisdom and hard work.

Betty is survived by her children, Dan and Cindy Sheppard, Bobbie Sheppard Adams, David Alan Sheppard, her grandsons Cam Adams and Chris Adams, her sister, Miriam Raschko and many cousins, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

The family invites all to a Celebration of Betty’s life at the Crag Rat Hut at 2:30pm, Thursday, March 24, 2016. Private Interment will be held for the immediate family at Pine Grove Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty's name to Heart of Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Please visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.