April 25, 1935 – Oct. 17, 2014
Betty Ann Klawiter, 79, of Lompoc, Calif., a recent resident of Sweet Home, died Oct. 17, 2014.
She was born April 25, 1935 in Hart, Minn., to Etta and Arnold Sievers, the second-youngest of seven children. She grew up on her parents’ farm in south-eastern Minnesota, attending the local one-room schoolhouse until the eighth grade, when she left school to help on the family farm. Later, at age 53, she returned to school to complete her GED degree after raising her children.
She married Wilton Klawiter on June 11, 1955 and they settled in Rushford, Minn., where they owned and operated an electronics repair shop.
In 1960 the Klawiters moved to Lompoc, Calif., where Mr. Klawiter worked at Vandenberg Air Force Base as an electronics engineer.
During that time, Mrs. Klawiter spent her time raising her two daughters, caring for a great-aunt and making bread and beautiful cakes for friends and family. She was active in her church, Bethany Lutheran in Lompoc, in Ladies Guild, Bible Study, Altar Guild, Vacation Bible School and singing in the church choir. She also served as church secretary from 1975 to 1987.
At age 48, Mrs. Klawiter lost her husband of 28 years to cancer.
She worked in the medical field for many years following, before taking a job at Costco and retiring in 2005.
She was a faithful member of her church for 50-plus years and was also involved in Sweet Adelines for 20 years. She greatly enjoyed sewing and was an expert at baking. She enjoyed spending time with her family.
She lived in Lompoc until recent years, when she began spending more and more time with her daughter’s family in Sweet Home due to declining health.
Mrs. Klawiter could best be described by this: If she wasn’t helping, she wasn’t happy. Even in her declining years was always looking for ways to assist with family projects and household tasks.
She enjoyed children, church, chocolate and milkshakes.
Mrs. Klawiter is survived by her daughters, Gloria Klawiter of Lompoc, and Miriam and son-in-law Scott Swanson of Sweet Home; granddaughters Carissa, Kimber and Sierra Swanson; a sister, Lois Torgerson of Rushford, Minn.; two brothers, Darold and sister-in-law Alice Sievers, and Wayne and sister-in-law Diane Sievers, and brother-in-law Vernon Feine, all of Rushford; sister-in-law, Alice Klawiter of Winona, Minn.; many nieces and nephews; and “adopted daughter” Meredith Weir.
She was preceded in death by her husband Wilton; sister Ethel; and brothers Norman and Charles.
A small family memorial was held on Oct. 21, and a memorial service is planned for Nov. 15 in Lompoc, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Evergreen Hospice House in Albany or the charity of your choice.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Paid Obituary.