Elizabeth Joan Levad

Elizabeth Joan Davis was born February 3, 1943, in Forest City, Iowa, to Helen and Delton Davis. This much-loved baby girl soon became known as Betty Jo, BJ, and later Beej.

Betty Jo's vibrant mother, Helen, raised Betty Jo, Kathy, and Robert as a single mom, first in Fertile, Iowa, and later in Forest City. They moved to Forest City partly because of the consolidation of rural schools, bringing together country kids from all over Winnebago County, including the many boys from the Gordon and Marie Levad farm. The Levad's red-haired and blue-eyed third son, David, met Betty Jo in junior-year geometry, and they fell in love.

Dave Levad and Betty Jo Davis were married in Forest City, Iowa, on April 4, 1964. Together, they built a life devoted to family, education, and faith. They attended the University of Northern Colorado together, each earning degrees to become teachers. While still in school in Greeley, Colorado, they established Teddy Bear Lodge Preschool in their home. For more than 60 years, their partnership, founded on their commitment and love of one another, had community impacts far beyond their front door.

Betty Jo Levad used her degree in Early Childhood Education to become a Head Start teacher in Colorado Springs and Yakima. After she and Dave moved to Yakima in 1981, so he could serve as Principal at Summitview Elementary School, she pursued a Master's degree in Adult Christian Community Development from Regis University. She served as Family and Adult Education Director at both St. Joseph's and Holy Family parishes. Among other things, she guided the faith formation of people who were interested in becoming Catholic. At Holy Family, she also began a Mom's Group and "Prayer Shawl" ministry.

Six children graced Dave and Betty Jo's union. Betty Jo loved being a mother, and she loved her kids fiercely. She was always involved in their lives (sometimes, one child reports, "to the frustration of the kid"). Dave and Betty Jo became bonus parents to many other kids, sharing their love widely. They had an "open door" policy for anyone needing a good meal, a friendly shelter, and perhaps some guidance as well. Their kitchen table, which always sat at least eight people with room for a few more, was a space for laughter and tears, bleeding knees, and bandaged elbows, prayers, and memories. A niece noted that Betty Jo "had a gift for making the children she encountered, from toddlers to teenagers to young adults, feel seen, known, and loved. Not everyone has this gift. It made her special as a mom, aunt, and adult who just happened along your path." A nephew recalls that she had "one of the all-time best laughs I've ever heard!" If she gave you a "squinty-eyed lecture," you probably needed it, and it probably helped. She would always hug you too.

Betty Jo liked knitting, crossword puzzles, and, reportedly, "really good, juicy drama books." She enjoyed food made by her kids, an occasional off-color joke, and a well-crafted gin and tonic. Dave and Betty Jo relished their time at their cabin at Twin Lakes, Washington and on the beach in Mexico.

Betty Jo mourned the deaths of her mother, Helen, and Dave's parents, Marie and Gordon; her brother Robert, who was killed in Vietnam; Dave's brothers, Charles, Richard, Joseph, Edward, and Robert "Pete" Levad; and in-laws Trena Levad, Bob Mosiman, Eric Lovstad, Michael Bedig, and Judy Levad. She is survived by her beloved husband, David; their children and their partners, Mark Levad, Diane (Brent) Whitmire, Michael (Maren) Levad, Patrick (Jennifer Grey) Levad, Tim (Kathrin) Levad, and Sarah (James) Fitzgerald; their grandchildren, Aiden Fitzgerald, Alana Fitzgerald, Davin Levad, Mickey Levad, Emma (Alastair) Burgess, Nicole (Ray) Grant, Max Tim, and Eliza Levad; their great-grandchildren, Freya Grant and Henry Burgess; her sister, Katrina (Glen) Toby; David's siblings, Steve (Barb) Levad, Jim Levad, Tom (Dorothy Fogg) Levad, Mary Lovstad, Susan (John) Baugus, and Sharon Bedig, as well as in-laws Karen Levad, Linda Levad Passow, Sally Oelkers, and Deb (Steve) Sjolsvold, along with many nieces and nephews and their children, among whom Andy Levad and Brady Levad are Dave and BJ's particular bonus kids.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 3:00-7:00pm at Shaw & Son's Funeral Home (201 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901). Betty Jo's Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, at 10:00am, at Holy Family Catholic Church (5315 Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA 98908). Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery (1405 S 24th Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902), with a reception afterwards at the Holy Family Gathering Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made payable to Mother Joseph Early Learning Center at St. Joseph Marquette Catholic School (202 N. 4th Street, Yakima, WA 98901).

Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com.