BETTY ELLS

Betty Jean Ells, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2026. She was 86 years old.

Betty was born on Feb. 18, 1940, in Orofino, to William Earl and Emma Williams. Betty was very proud to be from Orofino and even more proud to be an Orofino Maniac. She and her brother, Jack, grew up and spent many of their early years enjoying the outdoors along the Clearwater River.

When Betty was young, she took part in the school band and played the clarinet. She also participated in 4-H, which would foster future bonds with several of her great-grandchildren.

Betty married the love of her life, Delbert Oscar Ells, on Sept. 23, 1956, in Lewiston. They were proud parents of three children: Loretta, Dwight and Darla. Betty was in for quite the shock when she married Delbert; she went from having one brother to joining a family with five brothers and one sister.

Betty and Delbert were waterskiing enthusiasts, and Betty was an exceptional trick skier. The couple taught their children how to water-ski and enjoy time together, especially outdoors.

After her husband, Delbert, passed in 1997, Betty had some incredible and interesting experiences as a world traveler. As a history buff, she enjoyed many trips with Elder Hostel Tours, learning more about the country she was proud to live in. She also took multiple trips overseas, including two trips to China.

One of the greatest joys Betty had was watching, contributing to and supporting the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended every sporting event, dance and music recital, fair, livestock showing, concert, play and any other occasion to support her family. She was an involved grandmother who took attending these events very seriously, sometimes traveling great distances to be present for each family member. She was also fondly known as “Grandma Betty” to many others. She went out of her way to help others and improve the lives of those around her and in our community.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Jack Williams, her husband Delbert Ells, her daughter Loretta Snyder and her son-in-law Bill Snyder.

She is survived by: her children, Darla (Dean) McKay, of Clarkston, and Dwight (Argie) Ells, of the Philippines; her four grandchildren, Jacob (Janelle) Snyder, of Lewiston, Jared Snyder (Danielle Boyd), of Clarkston, Brady (Keana) McKay, of Buckley, Wash., and Ian McKay, of Pullman; and her seven great-grandchildren, Daniel, Emma, Jonah, Abby, Jace, Olivia and Connor.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave., Lewiston. A gathering of family and friends will follow the service at the Holiday Inn, 700 Port Drive, Clarkston.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Asotin Lions Club, P.O. Box 175, Asotin, WA 99402.