Beloved mother, aunt, and friend, Bette J. Weigel (Bairey) passed away on the morning of October 3, 2017, in the presence of family and her Lord. Bette (Elizabeth) was born to Ferdinand and Rosa Staab on June 13, 1928, in Hayes, Kansas and lived in Kansas until moving to Oregon. Bette began second grade at St. Joseph's Grade School. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1946.
Bette married James Bairey in 1949, gave birth to Judy in 1950, James in 1952, Patrick in 1954, Christopher in 1958, and Peter in 1965. The family lived in Southern Oregon for a number of years before making their home in Port Angeles Washington. In Port Angeles, Bette was a homemaker who also worked in a number of jobs including attendance secretary at Port Angeles High School.
In 1978, Bette returned to Salem where she worked and made many friends at the City of Salem Parks and Rec Dept., retiring from there in 1989.
Bette married John Weigel in 1982. They made their home in Charbonneau (Wilsonville, OR) where they enjoyed golf, travel, volunteering, and amazing friendships.
As the youngest of 8 children, Bette survived her siblings, becoming the matriarch of her family and a center of her extended family's love and affection, both giving and receiving. She also had many lifelong friends whom she loved dearly.
Bette leaves behind children Judy (Tom) Weimer, Jim (Chris Evangelista) Bairey, Pat (Kris) Bairey, Chris (Patty) Bairey, Peter (Steph) Bairey, stepdaughter-in-law Carol Ann Weigel and stepson John (Zsuzsanna) Weigel, stepdaughters Pat Parkhurst and Sandy Weigel, grandchildren Jaime (Dan) Maier, Melissa (Rick) Legary, Chelsea Bairey, Emily Weimer, Jessica Bairey, Ivo Bairey, Steven Weigel, great granddaughter Hailey Bairey, and loving nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, husband John, stepson David Weigel, siblings Leo, Fidelia, Fred, Al, Irene, Jim, and Art.
The family extends many thanks to the staff of Capital Manor-Manor Care for their tender care of Bette.
Services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Salem, Oregon, Friday, October 13., 1:30 p.m. Family and friends are also invited to a celebration of Bette at the NW Wine Studies Center following the service. Donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.