Obituary: Bette Svensson

Bette Svensson passed on to a better place on September 25, 2011. Bette was 90 years old. "Bette" was born Opal Willette Bowers in Carson City to Roy and Opal Bowers. She was born in a small house that was located on Fall Street, just south of the Capitol Building. Her grandfather, John McCrimmon, owned and operated a blacksmith shop in the 1890s near the site of the Legislative Building.

Her father moved the family a few times while she was growing up. She attended schools in Reno and Winnemucca. Then, she went on to graduate from Heald's Business College in Oakland, California. She had a gift for typing and could type 120 words per minute. She returned to her family in Winnemucca for a short time to work at a bank. Then, in 1939, she moved back to Carson City. She worked for the State Legislature and became the chief journal clerk for the Assembly.

She met a young contractor, Sture Svensson, in the same year and they were married at St. Peterës Espicopal Church. Bette became a homemaker and had 5 children while her husband was building custom homes and commercial buildings in Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville and Reno. She raised her children in what is now known as the Ormsby/Rosser House on Minnesota and Third Streets.

Bette was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star and a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. She enjoyed life, gambling at the Nugget and talking with her friends and family.

Bette is preceded death by her parents, Roy and Opal Bowers; her husband, Sture; her daughter, Bette Lou Towne. She is survived by her brother and spouse, Roy (Alice) Bowers, and her children and spouses: Stuart (Sharon) Svensson, San Jose, California; Sonja (David) Kellogg, Oroville, California; Bruce (Betsy) Svensson, Minden, Nevada; Karen (Rick) Panelli, Reno, Nevada. She also has 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service at Fitzhenry's Funeral Home in Carson City on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Douglas Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) or a charity of your choice.