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Betty Ann Whitmore died November 3, 2020 at age 91. As our community mourns Betty's loss, we rejoice that she has entered into the fullness of Christ's Kingdom.

Betty was born June 26, 1929 to Clarence and Amanda Gulland in Sheldon, North Dakota. After graduating in 1946 from Lincoln High School in Casselton, N.D., she attended the nursing program at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, N.D. earning a Registered Nursing degree in 1949.   

In October 1949, Betty married Roland Bruce Whitmore at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Casselton, N.D. and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota for a short time and then to Charles City, Iowa.  They had four daughters born in Iowa before they decided to move to San Jose, CA.  A fifth daughter was born in San Jose.  In 1966, they moved to the country – buying a house and 3 acres on Watsonville Road in Morgan Hill, CA.  A sixth daughter was born in Morgan Hill.     

Betty loved her work in various disciplines of nursing.  In Fargo and Minneapolis Betty worked in the polio department during the 1950’s epidemic;  in Charles City she was in general nursing at a 52 bed hospital; and in Morgan Hill she worked for juvenile probation as a nurse for the William F. James/ Harold Holden Ranch for Boys as well as Muriel M. Wright Girls Ranch.  After moving to Oregon, she was a school nurse for Willamina, Sheridan and Grand Ronde school districts and concluded her working career as a Medic for a local ambulance.   

Betty retired to Chico, CA where some of her daughters and (future) son's-in-law were attending or teaching college.  And she finally had the chance to travel going to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, Germany, Mexico and Ireland.   Volunteering for her church was an important part of her entire life.  She taught Sunday School and enjoyed working with children, especially on their Christmas programs.  While living in San Jose and Morgan Hill, Betty and Bruce were members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga, CA until becoming charter members of Advent Lutheran Church in Morgan Hill, CA.  Advent’s Pastor Gary & Dorothy Berkland have remained close friends. In Chico, she attended and worked for Faith Lutheran Church and enjoyed caring for friends in need.  

Betty's family was the joy of her life and she loved being surrounded by all her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews.   

She is survived by her children: Jayne Xavier (Jim), Janeen Whitmore, Carol Arthur (Joel), Karen Coonen (Dan) and Kristin Keller (Phil); a son-in-law Scott Bauer; ten lovely grandchildren: Elyssa Xavier, Eyvonne Xavier Balderama (Russell), Emily and Kathleen Branan, Cassandra Arthur, Carly Arthur Spangler (Tyler), Rebecca and Wyatt Coonen and Brent and Joseph Keller; and 2 great grandchildren: Kayleigh and Tristan Balderama.   

She also has her siblings: Bonnie Eicholtz (Kent), Bernard Gulland (Marilyn), Duane Gulland and foster sister Marie Kanagy and three Godsons: Steven Eicholtz, Brian Brown and Greg Benedict.  

A son, Douglas Brent was stillborn in 1960; Bruce Whitmore died suddenly at age 51 in 1975; and Cathryn Ruth "Tipper" Whitmore Bauer died in 2009.  Sister-in-law Marilynn Gulland died in 1994, brother Clarence Gulland and his wife JoAnn died in 2005 and 2006 and sister  Diane Knutson died in 2019.   

Betty has requested that you plant a flower in her memory.   With God’s help and your flowers, she hoped this country would continue to flourish and increase in beauty.  If you want to donate, please consider Anne Carlson School in Jamestown, ND or St. Jude’s Research, two organizations that Betty felt were exceptionally worthy.