Obituary: Mackenroth, Elisabeth Mary
Bette was born on September 22, 1922 and was the second child of Joseph and Genevieve (Trudeau) Haley.
She had one brother, Bill Haley and two sisters, Margie and Jean, all who are deceased.
She leaves behind, daughter Sally (Mackenroth) Trenkamp and her husband Tom Trenkamp and son Thomas J. Mackenroth, his wife Tina Mackenroth.
Grandchildren include Thomas W. Mackenroth, Jeff and T.J. Holland, Lynn and Michael Trenkamp, and Tina Clarke.
Great-grandchildren include Christopher, Caitlin and Terrin Holland, Connor and Landon Clarke, Dillion and Bianca Del Aroz and Abigail Brown.
Nothing was more important to Bette than her family.
It was not uncommon for her to spend the night in a chair, rocking a colicky baby so mom and dad could get needed sleep.
She championed our causes and encouraged our dreams and we celebrate her life and love for each of us.
Of French and Irish descent, Bette’s love of music and dance was apparent to all who knew her.
She played both the sax and violin and on occasion the drums if she had enough martinis.
She was an artist proficient in oils and watercolors and also loved to cook, sail, garden, play golf, read and play the slot machines.
She also enjoyed traveling and visited the Bahamas, Hawaii and Mexico.
Bette was a homemaker but she also modeled hats and did volunteer work for the Red Cross and the Children’s Orthopedic hospital.
She started college at 16 and then married the love of her life, Thomas Ward Mackenroth on June 6th, 1942.
They were married almost 64 years before she lost him on March 14th, 2006.
As a railroad wife, she moved many times and lived in Fargo, Minot, Whitefish, Great Falls, Mercer Island, Klamath Falls, Havre and their last home in Spokane, where she and “POP” lived on the 7th green at Sundance Golf Course.
Bette’s gift of unconditional love to her family will always be cherished.
We miss you Mom and know you are painting heaven’s walls and dancing to “Begin the Beguine” with Pop.
There will be no service at Bette’s request.
The family would like to thank Horizon Hospice and Hearts ‘N Hands for their caring and support.