Bette Joan (Cleveland) Zwicker

Bette Joan (Cleveland) Zwicker, 85, of Renton, Washington, died on Friday, March 27, 2015 after a brief illness. In her final hours she was surrounded by her family.

Born as one of four children to Carl and Ruth Cleveland, on June 11 (or November 6, depending on who was asking), 1929 in Princeton, Indiana, Bette moved to Renton in 1936 and lived there for the rest of her life. A proud Renton High School graduate, Bette married Don Zwicker in 1947 and raised four kids. Bette lost the love of her life, Don, in February of 1994.

When she was done raising her kids, she had a career as the bookkeeper for her son-in-law’s repair shop (Taylor’s Autobody). After retiring she served as a volunteer for the Renton History Museum and the Renton Police Department. All throughout her life she enjoyed expressing her creativity though oil painting, tole painting, and needlework. She loved to play pinochle, work in her yard and grow vegetables in her garden.

Bette is survived by her two daughters, Cheri Taylor (and husband Kenneth) and Donna Rydberg (and husband Terry) and her two sons, Don Zwicker (and wife Marcey) and Rich Zwicker (and wife Martha). Bette also had 10 grandchildren,

12 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Bette was predeceased by her brothers, William and Robert and her sister Marylou. In addition to losing her husband, she also felt loss at the passing of 3 of her grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Group Health’s Hospice Program or the Renton History Museum.