Betty Nims

Betty Nims, 90, of Sherwood and formerly of Cove, died peacefully Nov. 11 at her home. A memorial service will begin at

1 p.m. Saturday at Attrell's Sherwood Funeral Chapel, 280 NW First St., Sherwood. Memorial contributions may be made to the Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project at www.prescottbluebird.com.

Betty was born March 15, 1918, to John and Beatrice Hogg in Vancouver, Wash. She attended Arnada Grade School and Vancouver High School, both in Vancouver.

Betty met Frank Nims at a mixer dance when they were both working toward degrees in education at Western Washington State College of Education, now Western Washington University in Bellingham. They met the same day that Frank had received his letter of acceptance to flying cadet training for the Army Air Corps, so he had something to celebrate. Frank and Betty's courtship survived the separation during flying school, and in August 1941 they married.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant, Frank's first assignment was at Grey Field at Fort Lewis, Wash. Four months later, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the United States entered World War II. As the wife of a serviceman, Betty's role and challenge was to transform their new on-base quarters into a home each time Frank was transferred, including such austere locations as Adak, Alaska. As might be expected, each child was born in a different state. Betty and her growing family endured long separations when Frank was serving overseas.

After 23 years in the service, in 1961 Frank retired, and the family moved to a farm in Cove where they raised beef cattle, Welsh ponies and developed and operated a large sweet cherry orchard for the next 26 years. Betty was kept very busy as a farmer's wife. She raised much of their produce in a large garden, and was active in supporting the Cove Library.

In 1987 Betty and Frank moved to a farm outside of Sherwood. The farmland was leased out, so there were fewer chores, but Betty still maintained a large garden, as long as her health allowed. She was also active in the Tualatin Garden Club and volunteered at the Sherwood Library.

Betty was an avid reader, seamstress, gardener, crossword puzzler and volunteer. She loved flowers, birds and Lawrence Welk music.

Betty is survived by her husband, Frank; three of their four children: David Nims and his wife, Carol, of Sherwood, Daniel Nims and his wife, Trudee, of Walla Walla and Ronald Nims and his wife, Mary, of Seattle; eight grandchildren and their spouses; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Jean Jansen of Mount Vernon, Wash., Nancy Perry of Los Alamitos, Calif., and Marilyn "Billie" Meissner of Seattle; and brother, Spencer Hogg of Larkspur, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda, and her brothers, Dick Hogg and John "Ladd" Hogg.

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