Betty Darlene Weitze Cook passed away peacefully on December 5, 2018. She was born to Henry and Georgina Weitze on November 14, 1926, in Nora Springs, Iowa. She was the second youngest of six children. When Betty was two years old, the family moved from Iowa to the El Camino area near Corning, California, inspired by the prospect of a better life. There they started "White C" Hatchery, raising chicks and selling eggs.
Betty attended elementary school in Tehama, a two-room school with approximately 50 students. In 1940, she attended Red Bluff High School and was active in the 4-H Club, Rainbow Girls, and was a majorette for the marching band.
When only 16 years old, she went to Stanford University. She lived in the Roth House and was an active member of the Gamma Phi sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture and earned a Master's degree in History. She also earned her Secondary Teaching Credential. While at Stanford, she met Rufus E. Cook, a young U.S. Air Corps WWII veteran, who took her flying on one of their first dates. They were married on February 14, 1948, in the Stanford Chapel. After they both received their Master's degrees, Rufus was offered a petroleum geologist position with Standard Oil Company of California (later Chevron Corporation). This was the beginning of a lifetime of travel and adventures in many parts of the world.
The newly married couple moved to Taft, California, for Rufus's new job with Standard Oil Company. Betty started her first teaching job at Maricopa Unified School District and also taught oil painting and arts and crafts at the Taft Junior College's adult night classes.
A summer school session at the University of Hawaii in 1950 resulted in a lifelong love of Hawaiian culture and music. She took hula lessons there which she demonstrated using just her hands at her 90th birthday many years later!
In 1951, Betty and Rufus moved to Elko, Nevada, and then to Salt Lake City, Utah, where their first child, Cathy, was born. They soon returned to Bakersfield, California, where Betty taught art at Bakersfield High School. While in Bakersfield, Betty had two additional children, Casey and Cara.
But in 1957, Rufus's job took the family to new adventures in southern Iran, where they stayed for 8 years. Her teaching skills led Betty to volunteer to start the first elementary school for the expatriate children in Naft Safid. Later the company hired a full-time British instructor who became a lifelong friend of the Cooks. Betty was involved in the local garden club, Brownie troop, and hosted many social events. The family lived in Agha Jari, Masjid-i-Sulaiman, and Gach Saran, where summer temperatures were often in the triple digits! She developed a keen interest in ancient history and enjoyed learning about local cultures and customs. Summer months found the family traveling to Europe, Asia, and Scandinavia. In 1961, their fourth child, Christopher, was born in Shiraz, Iran.
Since there was no high school for the oldest child to attend in their small town in Iran, the family was transferred back to Bakersfield in 1965. Betty started substitute teaching again at Bakersfield High School, which soon became a full-time job. She taught art, art history, and math, not only at BHS but North, Shafter, and Vista High Schools, Bakersfield Community College, and Cal-State Bakersfield. She finally retired in the late 1980s.
While Betty stayed in Bakersfield immersed in her profession and caring for her young children, Rufus took a position in Indonesia in 1970 and then in Iran in 1976. Later, Betty took sabbaticals and joined Rufus in both of those countries. She enjoyed field trips to see the many ancient archaeological sites and loved learning about the history of both countries and their culture ... Later Rufus's job took him to Indonesia, where Betty and the rest of the family joined him during the summer. Again, she traveled to numerous historical sites and met many more friends. Betty was very active and well known in Bakersfield in local art, history, genealogy, and church groups. She was a member of The Plein Air Group, Kern County Historical Society, Kern County Museum, Cotton Patch Quilters, American Association of University Women, Stanford Alumni, Kern County Genealogy Society, Mayflower Society, Garden Club, Bakersfield Art Association, the Petroleum Club, Tehama County Historical Society, Friends of the Rios-Caledonia Adobe (San Miguel), the Navy League, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and the Trinity Anglican Church.
Quite a busy woman! She loved growing flowers in her yard, doting on her grandchildren, celebrating birthdays with family and friends, cooking, and traveling. She was very proud of her German ancestry and did an incredible amount of research about her family tree and extended families. She loved listening to the news every day, clipping newspaper articles, collecting magazines and books. Following current events was important in her life, and she could often be seen at various events such as watching the Space Shuttle land at Edwards Air Force Base; visiting Christo when the yellow umbrella project came to Kern County; interviewing Dr. Richard Leakey; talking to Buck Owens or Mayor Hall, Dick Rutan, Huell Howser, or Laurel Burch. Her interest in photography was amazing too, and she was a collector of everything!
Her husband predeceased her in August, 2001, after 53 years of marriage ... She is survived by her youngest brother, Bob Weitze and his wife, Louise from Oroville, California. Her children include Cathy Cibit from San Diego (her husband Joe and their son Eric); Casey Cook from Bakersfield (his wife Becky); Cara Dibnah from Fallon, Nevada (her husband Tony); and Chris Cook (his wife Gena and their children, Vanessa, Camron, and Nicholas).
Her legacy lives on in her children, family, and friends. Everyone was welcome in her home, and she always greeted everyone with, "Are you hungry? I have some food I just made." This is not really a question as there was no choice but to sit down and eat something! She is missed and will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Betty will be buried in the Weitze Family plot at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Corning, California. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Trinity Anglican Church in Bakersfield, at a future date. See www.GreenlawnM-C.com. The family thanks the loving care of Hoffmann Hospice, Interim Health Care, and the extended family at The Pointe at Summit Hills in Bakersfield.
Please, no flowers. Your donation is much appreciated and can be sent to: - The Tehama County Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 275, Tehama, CA 96090, OR - The Kern County Museum, c/o Lori Wear, 3801 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 Aloha, Betty Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Dec. 16, 2018
Betty attended elementary school in Tehama, a two-room school with approximately 50 students. In 1940, she attended Red Bluff High School and was active in the 4-H Club, Rainbow Girls, and was a majorette for the marching band.
When only 16 years old, she went to Stanford University. She lived in the Roth House and was an active member of the Gamma Phi sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture and earned a Master's degree in History. She also earned her Secondary Teaching Credential. While at Stanford, she met Rufus E. Cook, a young U.S. Air Corps WWII veteran, who took her flying on one of their first dates. They were married on February 14, 1948, in the Stanford Chapel. After they both received their Master's degrees, Rufus was offered a petroleum geologist position with Standard Oil Company of California (later Chevron Corporation). This was the beginning of a lifetime of travel and adventures in many parts of the world.
The newly married couple moved to Taft, California, for Rufus's new job with Standard Oil Company. Betty started her first teaching job at Maricopa Unified School District and also taught oil painting and arts and crafts at the Taft Junior College's adult night classes.
A summer school session at the University of Hawaii in 1950 resulted in a lifelong love of Hawaiian culture and music. She took hula lessons there which she demonstrated using just her hands at her 90th birthday many years later!
In 1951, Betty and Rufus moved to Elko, Nevada, and then to Salt Lake City, Utah, where their first child, Cathy, was born. They soon returned to Bakersfield, California, where Betty taught art at Bakersfield High School. While in Bakersfield, Betty had two additional children, Casey and Cara.
But in 1957, Rufus's job took the family to new adventures in southern Iran, where they stayed for 8 years. Her teaching skills led Betty to volunteer to start the first elementary school for the expatriate children in Naft Safid. Later the company hired a full-time British instructor who became a lifelong friend of the Cooks. Betty was involved in the local garden club, Brownie troop, and hosted many social events. The family lived in Agha Jari, Masjid-i-Sulaiman, and Gach Saran, where summer temperatures were often in the triple digits! She developed a keen interest in ancient history and enjoyed learning about local cultures and customs. Summer months found the family traveling to Europe, Asia, and Scandinavia. In 1961, their fourth child, Christopher, was born in Shiraz, Iran.
Since there was no high school for the oldest child to attend in their small town in Iran, the family was transferred back to Bakersfield in 1965. Betty started substitute teaching again at Bakersfield High School, which soon became a full-time job. She taught art, art history, and math, not only at BHS but North, Shafter, and Vista High Schools, Bakersfield Community College, and Cal-State Bakersfield. She finally retired in the late 1980s.
While Betty stayed in Bakersfield immersed in her profession and caring for her young children, Rufus took a position in Indonesia in 1970 and then in Iran in 1976. Later, Betty took sabbaticals and joined Rufus in both of those countries. She enjoyed field trips to see the many ancient archaeological sites and loved learning about the history of both countries and their culture ... Later Rufus's job took him to Indonesia, where Betty and the rest of the family joined him during the summer. Again, she traveled to numerous historical sites and met many more friends. Betty was very active and well known in Bakersfield in local art, history, genealogy, and church groups. She was a member of The Plein Air Group, Kern County Historical Society, Kern County Museum, Cotton Patch Quilters, American Association of University Women, Stanford Alumni, Kern County Genealogy Society, Mayflower Society, Garden Club, Bakersfield Art Association, the Petroleum Club, Tehama County Historical Society, Friends of the Rios-Caledonia Adobe (San Miguel), the Navy League, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and the Trinity Anglican Church.
Quite a busy woman! She loved growing flowers in her yard, doting on her grandchildren, celebrating birthdays with family and friends, cooking, and traveling. She was very proud of her German ancestry and did an incredible amount of research about her family tree and extended families. She loved listening to the news every day, clipping newspaper articles, collecting magazines and books. Following current events was important in her life, and she could often be seen at various events such as watching the Space Shuttle land at Edwards Air Force Base; visiting Christo when the yellow umbrella project came to Kern County; interviewing Dr. Richard Leakey; talking to Buck Owens or Mayor Hall, Dick Rutan, Huell Howser, or Laurel Burch. Her interest in photography was amazing too, and she was a collector of everything!
Her husband predeceased her in August, 2001, after 53 years of marriage ... She is survived by her youngest brother, Bob Weitze and his wife, Louise from Oroville, California. Her children include Cathy Cibit from San Diego (her husband Joe and their son Eric); Casey Cook from Bakersfield (his wife Becky); Cara Dibnah from Fallon, Nevada (her husband Tony); and Chris Cook (his wife Gena and their children, Vanessa, Camron, and Nicholas).
Her legacy lives on in her children, family, and friends. Everyone was welcome in her home, and she always greeted everyone with, "Are you hungry? I have some food I just made." This is not really a question as there was no choice but to sit down and eat something! She is missed and will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Betty will be buried in the Weitze Family plot at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Corning, California. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Trinity Anglican Church in Bakersfield, at a future date. See www.GreenlawnM-C.com. The family thanks the loving care of Hoffmann Hospice, Interim Health Care, and the extended family at The Pointe at Summit Hills in Bakersfield.
Please, no flowers. Your donation is much appreciated and can be sent to: - The Tehama County Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 275, Tehama, CA 96090, OR - The Kern County Museum, c/o Lori Wear, 3801 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 Aloha, Betty Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Dec. 16, 2018
Betty Darlene Weitze Cook passed away peacefully on December 5, 2018. She was born to Henry and Georgina Weitze on November 14, 1926, in Nora Springs, Iowa. She was the second youngest of six children. When Betty was two years old, the family moved from Iowa to the El Camino area near Corning, California, inspired by the prospect of a better life. There they started "White C" Hatchery, raising chicks and selling eggs.
Betty attended elementary school in Tehama, a two-room school with approximately 50 students. In 1940, she attended Red Bluff High School and was active in the 4-H Club, Rainbow Girls, and was a majorette for the marching band.
When only 16 years old, she went to Stanford University. She lived in the Roth House and was an active member of the Gamma Phi sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture and earned a Master's degree in History. She also earned her Secondary Teaching Credential. While at Stanford, she met Rufus E. Cook, a young U.S. Air Corps WWII veteran, who took her flying on one of their first dates. They were married on February 14, 1948, in the Stanford Chapel. After they both received their Master's degrees, Rufus was offered a petroleum geologist position with Standard Oil Company of California (later Chevron Corporation). This was the beginning of a lifetime of travel and adventures in many parts of the world.
The newly married couple moved to Taft, California, for Rufus's new job with Standard Oil Company. Betty started her first teaching job at Maricopa Unified School District and also taught oil painting and arts and crafts at the Taft Junior College's adult night classes.
A summer school session at the University of Hawaii in 1950 resulted in a lifelong love of Hawaiian culture and music. She took hula lessons there which she demonstrated using just her hands at her 90th birthday many years later!
In 1951, Betty and Rufus moved to Elko, Nevada, and then to Salt Lake City, Utah, where their first child, Cathy, was born. They soon returned to Bakersfield, California, where Betty taught art at Bakersfield High School. While in Bakersfield, Betty had two additional children, Casey and Cara.
But in 1957, Rufus's job took the family to new adventures in southern Iran, where they stayed for 8 years. Her teaching skills led Betty to volunteer to start the first elementary school for the expatriate children in Naft Safid. Later the company hired a full-time British instructor who became a lifelong friend of the Cooks. Betty was involved in the local garden club, Brownie troop, and hosted many social events. The family lived in Agha Jari, Masjid-i-Sulaiman, and Gach Saran, where summer temperatures were often in the triple digits! She developed a keen interest in ancient history and enjoyed learning about local cultures and customs. Summer months found the family traveling to Europe, Asia, and Scandinavia. In 1961, their fourth child, Christopher, was born in Shiraz, Iran.
Since there was no high school for the oldest child to attend in their small town in Iran, the family was transferred back to Bakersfield in 1965. Betty started substitute teaching again at Bakersfield High School, which soon became a full-time job. She taught art, art history, and math, not only at BHS but North, Shafter, and Vista High Schools, Bakersfield Community College, and Cal-State Bakersfield. She finally retired in the late 1980s.
While Betty stayed in Bakersfield immersed in her profession and caring for her young children, Rufus took a position in Indonesia in 1970 and then in Iran in 1976. Later, Betty took sabbaticals and joined Rufus in both of those countries. She enjoyed field trips to see the many ancient archaeological sites and loved learning about the history of both countries and their culture ... Later Rufus's job took him to Indonesia, where Betty and the rest of the family joined him during the summer. Again, she traveled to numerous historical sites and met many more friends. Betty was very active and well known in Bakersfield in local art, history, genealogy, and church groups. She was a member of The Plein Air Group, Kern County Historical Society, Kern County Museum, Cotton Patch Quilters, American Association of University Women, Stanford Alumni, Kern County Genealogy Society, Mayflower Society, Garden Club, Bakersfield Art Association, the Petroleum Club, Tehama County Historical Society, Friends of the Rios-Caledonia Adobe (San Miguel), the Navy League, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and the Trinity Anglican Church.
Quite a busy woman! She loved growing flowers in her yard, doting on her grandchildren, celebrating birthdays with family and friends, cooking, and traveling. She was very proud of her German ancestry and did an incredible amount of research about her family tree and extended families. She loved listening to the news every day, clipping newspaper articles, collecting magazines and books. Following current events was important in her life, and she could often be seen at various events such as watching the Space Shuttle land at Edwards Air Force Base; visiting Christo when the yellow umbrella project came to Kern County; interviewing Dr. Richard Leakey; talking to Buck Owens or Mayor Hall, Dick Rutan, Huell Howser, or Laurel Burch. Her interest in photography was amazing too, and she was a collector of everything!
Her husband predeceased her in August, 2001, after 53 years of marriage ... She is survived by her youngest brother, Bob Weitze and his wife, Louise from Oroville, California. Her children include Cathy Cibit from San Diego (her husband Joe and their son Eric); Casey Cook from Bakersfield (his wife Becky); Cara Dibnah from Fallon, Nevada (her husband Tony); and Chris Cook (his wife Gena and their children, Vanessa, Camron, and Nicholas).
Her legacy lives on in her children, family, and friends. Everyone was welcome in her home, and she always greeted everyone with, "Are you hungry? I have some food I just made." This is not really a question as there was no choice but to sit down and eat something! She is missed and will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Betty will be buried in the Weitze Family plot at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Corning, California. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Trinity Anglican Church in Bakersfield, at a future date. See www.GreenlawnM-C.com. The family thanks the loving care of Hoffmann Hospice, Interim Health Care, and the extended family at The Pointe at Summit Hills in Bakersfield.
Please, no flowers. Your donation is much appreciated and can be sent to: - The Tehama County Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 275, Tehama, CA 96090, OR - The Kern County Museum, c/o Lori Wear, 3801 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 Aloha, Betty Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Dec. 16, 2018
Betty attended elementary school in Tehama, a two-room school with approximately 50 students. In 1940, she attended Red Bluff High School and was active in the 4-H Club, Rainbow Girls, and was a majorette for the marching band.
When only 16 years old, she went to Stanford University. She lived in the Roth House and was an active member of the Gamma Phi sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture and earned a Master's degree in History. She also earned her Secondary Teaching Credential. While at Stanford, she met Rufus E. Cook, a young U.S. Air Corps WWII veteran, who took her flying on one of their first dates. They were married on February 14, 1948, in the Stanford Chapel. After they both received their Master's degrees, Rufus was offered a petroleum geologist position with Standard Oil Company of California (later Chevron Corporation). This was the beginning of a lifetime of travel and adventures in many parts of the world.
The newly married couple moved to Taft, California, for Rufus's new job with Standard Oil Company. Betty started her first teaching job at Maricopa Unified School District and also taught oil painting and arts and crafts at the Taft Junior College's adult night classes.
A summer school session at the University of Hawaii in 1950 resulted in a lifelong love of Hawaiian culture and music. She took hula lessons there which she demonstrated using just her hands at her 90th birthday many years later!
In 1951, Betty and Rufus moved to Elko, Nevada, and then to Salt Lake City, Utah, where their first child, Cathy, was born. They soon returned to Bakersfield, California, where Betty taught art at Bakersfield High School. While in Bakersfield, Betty had two additional children, Casey and Cara.
But in 1957, Rufus's job took the family to new adventures in southern Iran, where they stayed for 8 years. Her teaching skills led Betty to volunteer to start the first elementary school for the expatriate children in Naft Safid. Later the company hired a full-time British instructor who became a lifelong friend of the Cooks. Betty was involved in the local garden club, Brownie troop, and hosted many social events. The family lived in Agha Jari, Masjid-i-Sulaiman, and Gach Saran, where summer temperatures were often in the triple digits! She developed a keen interest in ancient history and enjoyed learning about local cultures and customs. Summer months found the family traveling to Europe, Asia, and Scandinavia. In 1961, their fourth child, Christopher, was born in Shiraz, Iran.
Since there was no high school for the oldest child to attend in their small town in Iran, the family was transferred back to Bakersfield in 1965. Betty started substitute teaching again at Bakersfield High School, which soon became a full-time job. She taught art, art history, and math, not only at BHS but North, Shafter, and Vista High Schools, Bakersfield Community College, and Cal-State Bakersfield. She finally retired in the late 1980s.
While Betty stayed in Bakersfield immersed in her profession and caring for her young children, Rufus took a position in Indonesia in 1970 and then in Iran in 1976. Later, Betty took sabbaticals and joined Rufus in both of those countries. She enjoyed field trips to see the many ancient archaeological sites and loved learning about the history of both countries and their culture ... Later Rufus's job took him to Indonesia, where Betty and the rest of the family joined him during the summer. Again, she traveled to numerous historical sites and met many more friends. Betty was very active and well known in Bakersfield in local art, history, genealogy, and church groups. She was a member of The Plein Air Group, Kern County Historical Society, Kern County Museum, Cotton Patch Quilters, American Association of University Women, Stanford Alumni, Kern County Genealogy Society, Mayflower Society, Garden Club, Bakersfield Art Association, the Petroleum Club, Tehama County Historical Society, Friends of the Rios-Caledonia Adobe (San Miguel), the Navy League, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and the Trinity Anglican Church.
Quite a busy woman! She loved growing flowers in her yard, doting on her grandchildren, celebrating birthdays with family and friends, cooking, and traveling. She was very proud of her German ancestry and did an incredible amount of research about her family tree and extended families. She loved listening to the news every day, clipping newspaper articles, collecting magazines and books. Following current events was important in her life, and she could often be seen at various events such as watching the Space Shuttle land at Edwards Air Force Base; visiting Christo when the yellow umbrella project came to Kern County; interviewing Dr. Richard Leakey; talking to Buck Owens or Mayor Hall, Dick Rutan, Huell Howser, or Laurel Burch. Her interest in photography was amazing too, and she was a collector of everything!
Her husband predeceased her in August, 2001, after 53 years of marriage ... She is survived by her youngest brother, Bob Weitze and his wife, Louise from Oroville, California. Her children include Cathy Cibit from San Diego (her husband Joe and their son Eric); Casey Cook from Bakersfield (his wife Becky); Cara Dibnah from Fallon, Nevada (her husband Tony); and Chris Cook (his wife Gena and their children, Vanessa, Camron, and Nicholas).
Her legacy lives on in her children, family, and friends. Everyone was welcome in her home, and she always greeted everyone with, "Are you hungry? I have some food I just made." This is not really a question as there was no choice but to sit down and eat something! She is missed and will live forever in our hearts and minds.
Betty will be buried in the Weitze Family plot at the Sunset Hill Cemetery in Corning, California. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Trinity Anglican Church in Bakersfield, at a future date. See www.GreenlawnM-C.com. The family thanks the loving care of Hoffmann Hospice, Interim Health Care, and the extended family at The Pointe at Summit Hills in Bakersfield.
Please, no flowers. Your donation is much appreciated and can be sent to: - The Tehama County Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 275, Tehama, CA 96090, OR - The Kern County Museum, c/o Lori Wear, 3801 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 Aloha, Betty Greenlawn Funeral Home Northeast
Published in Bakersfield Californian on Dec. 16, 2018
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