Betty Jean McCallieSeptember 15, 1924 - February 13, 2017Lebanon - Betty McCalie of Lebanon passed away peacefully on February 13th at the age of 92. She was born on September 15, 1924 in Kansas, the first child of Eleanora and Franklyn Somer. Her sister, JoAnn Shoemake, survives her. The Somer family moved to Estacada, Oregon in 1937 in a Model A Ford towing a homemade trailer with all of their possessions. After graduating high school Betty attended Business College in Portland where she learned bookkeeping. She worked for Clark and Wilson Lumber Company and belonged to a business girls' sorority where she made many lifelong friendships.Betty met her husband, Loyd McCallie, at a dance in Portland during World War II. They were married on February 28, 1948. The couple has always been active in the logging industry. They moved from Portland to Eugene followed by Klamath Falls where they owned a saw mill. They moved to Lebanon in 1953 where Loyd and his brother Bill started McCallie Logging Company. Betty eventually assumed all of the bookkeeping responsibilities for the company. After retirement, the couples continued to log and subdivide land around Lebanon until 2013.Betty loved to garden, travel, and sew. She was an avid reader and bridge player. She loved spending time with friends and family, camping, and fishing. She enjoyed life on the land atop Tyler Hill where she tended her garden, cattle, sheep and trout for many years.Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Loyd, daughter, Patti Mendoza, and grandson, Todd Bjarnson. Survivors include her daughter Vicki Bjarnson and grandchildren Matthew Mendoza and Alissa Shaul, along with five great-grandchildren.Betty will always be remembered for her sense of humor, loyal friendship, sound advice and cookies. Her unflagging energy and kindness were an inspiration for all.A celebration of life will be held at Belcrest Cemetery 1295 Browning Avenue S. Salem, Oregon at 11 am on March 3, 2017 followed by a reception at the Bjarnson home.In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lebanon Community Hospital Foundation at PO Box 739, Lebanon, OR 97355.
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