BettyJean Kahler August 2, 1941 – February 23, 2019 With family members by her side, BetteJean left this Earth and entered Heaven during the afternoon hours of February 23, 2019. She was 77 years old. BetteJean was born second of four children to Lynn and Mary Crane, in Montpelier, ID.
She was raised in Pocatello, ID and graduated from Pocatello High School. After graduation, BetteJean met and married Noble Gene Kahler, and was blessed with four children. Two girls and twin boys – Connie Jean, Terrie Jean, Jimmy Gene and Timmy Gene.
While living in Hawaii, Texas, and California during Gene’s US Navy tour, the decision to raise the kids in Deer Park, Texas was made. Life on Village Lane in Deer Park was full of energy – especially in the Kahler house. BetteJean only had four biological children, but an unknowing stranger would assume she had hundreds!
She was the most amazing mother, not only to her kids, but all their friends as well. Everyone was welcome – this was the party house! Part of loving and nurturing children included discipline – BetteJean was an Olympian when it came to (lovingly) whacking unruly kids on the head with her sandals to get their attention.
It worked! Although she never had a professional career, the greatest role of BetteJean’s life was being a mother. She sacrificed her wants and needs to ensure that her kid’s wishes were fulfilled.
She was kind, caring, big-hearted, and very loving. She made sure her children knew they were loved, and that she believed in them. She prayed for them and loved them more than anyone in the world.
For each child, BetteJean was a Homeroom Mom, Baseball Team Mom, and Girl Scout Leader. A true HERO. In February 1986, BetteJean met the love of her life, Ray Pendleton.
The two were married on April 28, 2000. During the course of their relationship, BetteJean worked many years for Dolly Madison Bakery, and became a store manager. In 2003 she retired to enjoy life and travel all over the United States with Ray.
There were no children to raise, but there was a special something that tugged at their heart strings – their baby boy, Snickers, a Yorkie. When Snickers passed away, they got another Yorkie and named him Snickers II. He will be a comfort and companion for Ray in the years to come.
BetteJean was loved by all who knew her. She never met a stranger – how could she? With the big smile to go along with the big hair, no-one could escape her friendliness.
She was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, neighbor, co-worker and friend. She was a Christian who held her faith close to her heart. BetteJean was preceded in death by her parents – Lynn & Mary Crane, sister – Mary Lynn Blake, brothers – Lynn Crane and Dave Crane.
Her heart and spirit were crushed upon the deaths of her oldest daughter, Connie Jean Kahler; son Jimmy Gene Kahler; and grandson, Austin Michael Kahler. We know that she has found joy in the reunions with them! Just as BetteJean donated Connie’s organs in 1977, she was the recipient of a kidney transplant in 1997.
That miraculous event added more than 20 years to her life! The Circle of Life had been completed! Survivors of the immediate family include: loving husband – Ray Pendleton; children – daughter, Terrie Jean Kahler; son, Timmy Gene Kahler; step-sons – Michael Ray Pendleton; Donnie Pendleton & wife, Vicki.
She also leaves behind a daughter-in-law, Debbie Kahler Hopson & husband, Scott; and seven grandchildren – Abby Erin Kahler, Laci Thompson, Cara Pendleton, Justin Pendleton, Ryan Pendleton, Ian Clark, and Nathan Clark. As BetteJean has gone before us, she leaves behind many family members and friends to re-tell her stories and share the amazing memories she gave to us. A Mother’s arms are more comforting than anyone else’s.
We loved her every day and now we will miss her every day.
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