Bette Ransbarger

Bette Lou Ransbarger, 90, passed away on Wednesday, December 7th, 2016 at Mission Arch Center in Roswell, N.M. Cremation has taken place at Ballard Funeral Home in Roswell; www.ballardfuneralhome.com

Bette was born on a farm in Crosby, North Dakota on April 13, 1926. She later moved to California where she met and married her husband Charles "Chuck" D. Ransbarger. They were married in Huntington Beach, California in 1945. They started their family in California but moved back to Chuck's hometown of Artesia, N.M. in 1960. Bette was a homemaker and worked at Jingle Bob's and K-Bobs as a hostess. Bette often told her children and grandchildren the story of how as a young child she asked the Lord for "lots of babies" and He gave them to her in doubles! Bette and Chuck had seven children, including two sets of twins. Her children were her greatest gift from God and in turn she became their greatest gift. Bette was kind, generous and honest but most of all she was loving. A friend described Bette as someone who "loved the poor, the broken, and the misfits...just like Jesus did." She has left a legacy of love to all of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. Bette loved to dance and spent many Friday nights at the Senior Center dancing with friends. The family referred to her as "our dancing queen." Bette had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, a gift she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Family and friends nicknamed her "The Boop" at an early age and this would always bring a smile to her face. The family will be holding a memorial service in Bette's honor in the Spring at her gravesite.

Survivors include her brother Jerry Burner of Issaquah, WA; daughters Norlene Shell and husband Don of Artesia; Mary Housley and partner Jorge Marmelo of New Bedford, MA; sons David Ransbarger and wife Rachel of Albuquerque, Jerry Ransbarger of Las Cruces, Kevin Ransbarger of New York; grandchildren, Steve Fallis of Carlsbad, Brian DeVore and wife Amy of Portland, OR; Dena Nelson and husband Wade of Artesia, Maggie Schulman and husband Andrew of San Diego, CA; Todd Fereday and wife Alyssa of Frisco, TX; Amanda Fallis-Hejira and husband Ali of San Fancisco, CA; Elizabeth Mason and husband Chris of Portland, OR; Levi Ransbarger of Albuquerque; Aaron Ransbarger of Las Cruces; Jodi Yarbrough of Las Cruces, Caleb Shell of Artesia; Rachel Joachim and husband Jason of Austin, TX; Jesse Fallis of Albuquerque; and Chuck Ransbarger and partner Crystal Sweet of Las Cruces; great grandchildren Sam Fallis, Haili Fallis, Jake Nelson, Luke Nelson, Jordan Agnew Shell, Ben Schulman, Drew Schulman, Jaylaun Yarbrough, Megan DeVore, Justin DeVore, Henleigh Fereday, and Teagun Fereday.

She was preceded in death by husband Chuck Ransbarger, daughter, Sandy Fallis, son, Craig Ransbarger and sister Maxine Wendt.