Betty Jean Linvog went to her eternal home in heaven on April 8, 2025. She drew her last breath at St. Anthony's Hospital in Gig Harbor, WA with her husband of 56 years, Douglas Earl Linvog, at her side. She was 78 years old.  Betty was especially known for her genuine love of people, excellence in teaching children, hospitality, and generosity.

Betty was born on June 17, 1946 to Arvid and Dorothy (Hamilton) Erickson.  Betty was an only c hild and grew up in Tacoma, WA.  Her father emigrated from Norway, which gave her special fondness and compassion for immigrants from all nations. She also felt special kinship to her Scottish heritage from her mother's family.

Betty went to Lincoln High School and especially enjoyed the drama department where her gift for memorization shined as she could recite everyone's lines as she directed one of the high school plays.  After high school she modeled wedding gowns and then went on to graduate from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) with a Bachelor of Education in 1968.

While at PLU she met the love of her life, Doug Linvog, on the first day of school.  Doug and Betty were assigned hymnal partners for chapel.  They married on August 17, 1968.  Doug and Betty lived in Tacoma and both taught school.  Betty taught upper elementary at Downing Elementary for the Tacoma School District until they had their first child, Erik.  Shortly after Erik was born, they moved to their home in Gig Harbor where Betty lived until her passing.  Several years after having Erik, their daughter, Kristin, was born. When the children were small, she sewed most of their clothes and had a huge vegetable garden. She also quilted and did needlepoint. She was a fantastic cook and the smell of freshly baked cookies was common in her home. She was very active in the leadership of Bible Study Fellowship. Betty was a homemaker for about fifteen years before returning to work as an elementary school teacher at Voyager Elementary in the Peninsula School District.

While Betty taught most elementary school grade levels over the course of her career, the majority was spent teaching third grade.  Betty was passionate about teaching.  Among her favorite subjects to teach were art, math, and writing.  She decorated the classroom and halls with beautiful artwork created by her students. At the end of the school year, she collected poetry from every student with which she composed a book of poems and drawings to give each student. Betty especially loved summertime when she and her friends could lounge around in the swimming pool.  It is difficult to really say when Betty retired from teaching as she continued to work as a substitute teacher for many years after retiring from having her own classroom.  With retirement, she picked up the hobby of jewelry making to add to the variety of crafts she did throughout her life.

Betty loved her church community at First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma.  She began attending First Presbyterian when she was an infant and remained an active member of the church her entire life.  In recent years she developed sweet friendships with many of the women, especially those with young children. Betty and Doug enthusiastically invited these young families to their home for picnic meals and refreshing pool time in the summer.

Betty loved to be around people.  She said on many occasions with genuine sincerity that she never had a student that she did not like.  She had a unique mind and memory that could recall important dates in people's lives such as birthdays and anniversaries. Betty delighted in making connections between people.  She loved visiting with friends at the coffee shop or out to lunch.  She cherished time with family and friends.  Right up to the end of her life, she preferred to hear about the lives of her friends and family over talking about her own.  She was loved by so many and will be deeply missed.  We look forward to seeing her again in heaven someday.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, aunts, uncles, some cousins, and nephew, Jonas Linvog.  She is survived by her husband, Doug, and by her 2 children: son, Erik Linvog and Donna of Portland, OR; daughter, Kristin Hay and Kevin of Des Moines, WA; 6 grandchildren: Leif, Marla, and Kohl Linvog; Annelis and Mette Voldengen; and Alastair Hay; brothers and sisters in law: Bob and Joanne Evans; Tom and Madonna Linvog; as well as some cousins including: Bob Cozad, Donna Macy, Peggy Herd, Karen Hamilton, Jim Hamilton, Martha Shackelford, Roleen Erickson, Al Erickson, Karen Erickson, and Janis Larson.

Betty loved the Lord Jesus and shared Christ's love with those around her.  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Donations in the name of Betty made be made to Camp McCullough ,
a ministry  of the First Presbyterian  Church of  Tacoma,
20 Tacoma Ave S, Covington, WA  98042