Bette Jean (Kunze) Denning
April 21, 1941 - August 25, 2021
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Bette Jean (Kunze) Denning. Bette was a long-time resident of Carson City, Nevada but was living near her daughter Noelle at CC Young in Dallas, Texas at the time of her passing on August 25, 2021.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jack Denning, mother Mary Dietrich, father William Kunze, stepfather Frank Dietrich, and brother Gerald (Jerry) Kunze. She is survived by her sister Bonnie Dietrich, daughter Noelle Sevilir Williams, grandsons Ethan and Carter Williams, daughter Simone Amadee, grandchildren Aaron, Daniel and Jacqueline Amadee, a great-granddaughter Paloma Amadee, nieces Alana Davis and Tanya Kunze and nephew Jeffrey Kunze, grand-niece Taylor Kunze, and grand-nephews Tanner Davis and William Swope.
Bette was born in Colorado Springs, CO on April 21, 1941, graduated from Carson High School in 1959 and went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Denver.
Before starting a long career with the Nevada State Division of Employment Security in Carson City, Bette worked briefly as a social worker and for the Nevada Magazine. Her calm demeanor belied a courageous spirit. Many people do not know she got a pilot’s license while still a young woman and once drove from Germany to Turkey with her infant daughter and mother-in-law in a newly purchased automobile before the advent of cell phones or Google maps.
Bette never had an unkind word for anyone and was the best daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and aunt anyone could ask for - always a supportive cheerleader and never a critic. In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and friends, traveling, and volunteering, particularly at the Carson Tahoe Hospital and with her church family First Presbyterian Church in Carson City, although life was never quite as dear after the loss of her beloved husband, Jack.
A celebration of Bette’s life is planned for a future date at First Presbyterian Church in Carson City.
In lieu of flowers, people wishing to make a donation in her name are encouraged to consider Food for Thought, Inc. (https://nvfoodforthought.org/), First Presbyterian Church (https://www.fpccarsoncity.org/) or World Vision (https://www.worldvision.org/).
Our hearts are heavy with your loss, but we know you now rest easy in God’s loving embrace.