Betty Jo Nolan, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
Betty was the youngest of four children. She was born in Yakima on April 6, 1934, to Lawrence George and Agnes Josephine (Cuddy) Klingele.
After graduating from Yakima High School, Betty worked briefly as a telephone operator before moving to Seattle to work at Boeing. In 1956, Betty married William Thomas Nolan on July 21. The Nolans eventually moved from Kent to Onalaska, Washington, and established the QS Ranch, raising highland cattle and quarter horses.
Bill and Betty had a daughter, Colleen, and two sons, Timothy and Sean. After Bill’s sudden death in 1971, Betty moved to Chehalis and raised her three children as a dedicated single mother. In 1984, Betty married Ward Thomas Nolan and the two enjoyed life in Chehalis until his death in 2006.
Betty had a lifelong love of highland cattle, horses, dogs, traveling, gardening and genealogy. She enjoyed organizing and hosting family reunions and playing games with friends. She was generous, outgoing and always had a pleasant word for those she met. Betty always encouraged those to do their best and reach for the stars.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Colleen Jo Nolan, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband, William Thomas Nolan; her sons, Timothy Thomas Nolan and Sean Lee Nolan; and her second husband, Ward Thomas Nolan.
At Betty’s request, a private service will be held to inter her remains at Claquato Cemetery next to Bill and Sean.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to Seattle Beagle Rescue at www.beaglerescue.org/donate/ or the Tim Nolan Youth Scholarship Fund at the First Tee at www.TheFirstTeeSPS.org.
