Betty Louise Berndt, 89, passed away on December 15, 2025, in Olympia, WA. She was born in Topeka, KS, to Claude Cook and Gertrude McKie. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard 'Ric' Lee Berndt (d. 2001), her parents, and her brothers Claude Robert ‘Bob’ Cook and Charles ‘Charlie’ Leroy Cook. She is survived by her daughter Crystal Hart; son Mitch (Raneea) Berndt; and grandchildren, Ben Berndt, Nic Berndt, Michael Hart, and Cheyenne Hart.

Betty was an independent woman who came from humble beginnings and went bravely into the world to make a better life for herself. She was hardworking, self-reliant, and eager to overcome the challenges of her youth. Betty graduated high school with her GED at 17, married the boy next door at 18, and moved to Nicaragua where he was stationed at the US Embassy. Less than three years later she returned to Kansas to file for divorce. Betty bought a car and moved to California where she met Ric a few months later. They fell in love the day they met, were engaged the next day, and married three months later. They made their home in Morro Bay, CA, where they managed a small hotel while Ric completed college. Betty also cooked and waited tables to help put Ric through school, continuing to support him throughout his career as a brewmaster.

Betty was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. If asked, Betty would say that she was a homemaker and gardener. But she was much more than that. She was always busy, liked to learn, and enjoyed challenges. She was a skilled seamstress and made much of her young family’s clothing. She was a leader in scouting, 4-H, and PTA. Betty loved flowers, and raised an acre of award-winning dahlias which she sold from her porch, also filling orders for weddings and other events. She enjoyed meeting people, and loved giving tours of her dahlia garden, for which she was featured in the local newspaper. Weather permitting, she could be found working in her garden or the yard.

Betty shared many of Ric’s hobbies, enjoying camping, fishing, and golfing, and raising many different animals on their Olympia farm. Her other interests included genealogy, knitting and crocheting, painting, and puzzles (crossword, sudoku, and jigsaw). Betty also loved hunting for treasures at yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets. Later in life she took classes in tax preparation and became an enrolled agent. Betty opened her own tax business which she operated for many years. She also served as a volunteer tax preparer for the elderly in her community.

Betty especially loved babies and children. She cherished her role as a grandmother, and was known as “Gma” to her grandchildren. When cancer struck her beloved Ric, she was by his side through his final days at home.

Betty’s family thanks Johnson Point House for their compassionate care and assistance during her final months. Per Betty’s request, no memorial service will be held. To remember Betty, the family asks that you consider planting a flower, showing kindness to others, and raising a glass. Cheers!