Betty (Gallagher) Vannocker

Betty Vannocker, age 92, passed away on February 1, 2016 of natural causes in her home in Nampa, Idaho surrounded by her family and friends. Betty was born in El Dorado, Kansas on July 12, 1923 to Emma and Clarence Gallagher. She grew up in Gridley, Kansas with her younger brother George Ray and older sister Dorothy. After high school graduation Betty moved to Chicago and worked in one of the factories during the war. While in Chicago she reconnected with Ted Vannocker an older boy she had grown up with in Gridley. Ted turned out to be the love of her life and they married on August 27, 1945. After Ted graduated from baking school in Chicago they moved to Chanute, Kansas where they opened their own bakery. While in Chanute Betty had her first daughter Linda. Soon after Linda’s birth the family moved to Portland, Oregon where Ted worked for the Davidson Baking Company. While in Portland Betty welcomed her second daughter Janice. After spending five years in Portland the family once again packed up and moved; this time to Idaho where they would remain for the rest of their lives.

Over the years Betty had numerous careers; she was a stay at home mom, kindergarten teacher, and loan officer for First Interstate Bank, now known as Wells Fargo. Betty retired from First Interstate Bank in 1985 to join Ted who had retired a couple of years earlier. Although she retired from work Betty did not retire from life. Betty was an active member at First Christian Church in Nampa for over 60 years where she taught Sunday school, played in the bell choir, and tickled the ears of the parishioners with her jazzy piano playing during offertory and throughout church services. Betty was also an accomplished ceramist; delighting her family members each Christmas with hand painted ornaments and nativity sets. Betty was an excellent seamstress who sewed clothes for her daughters while they were growing up and a wedding dress for one of her granddaughters. Her grandchildren could also look forward to receiving a handmade crocheted afghan upon graduating from high school.

Betty was the heart of her family and will be greatly missed by all. Betty is survived by her daughter Linda Henry and her husband Louis, her daughter Janice and her husband David, her grandchildren Cindy Jones, Tammy Chastaine, Rikki Clemens, Ted Henry, and Kim Swanson, their spouses and her great grandchildren Brianne, Keegan, Justin, Bailey, Wesley, Brooklyn, Sophia, Athena, Austin, Garrett, and Artemis. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, brother, granddaughter Shannon Sargent and her husband Ted.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday February 6, 2016 at First Christian Church located at 629 12th Ave South, Nampa, Idaho 83651. All are welcome to join the family celebrate the life of this great woman. Services are under the direction of Yraguen Chapel, Nampa Funeral Home, 208-442-8171.

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