Bette Griffin Parsons, 98, Jamestown, ND died on Wednesday morning, March 8, 2023 at SMP Health – Ave Maria, Jamestown, ND.
Bette Marie LeFevre was born December 20, 1924 at LaJunta, CO the daughter of Leo F. and Christine (Huls) LeFevre. The family moved to Jamestown where she was raised, attended St. John’s Academy and graduated from St. John’s High School in 1942. She then attended Interstate Business School in Fargo, The College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN in 1943 and then St. Alexius School of Nursing, Bismarck, ND and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1947 as the class Valedictorian. Bette married Guy Griffin on July 12, 1952 in the St. John’s Academy Chapel, Jamestown, ND. They made Jamestown their home for many years. Bette supervised the pediatrics at Trinity Hospital, Jamestown for many years. She also was employed at the Medical Art Clinic and for LeFevre Sales in Jamestown. In 1984, they moved to Spiritwood Lake, ND where she served as the City Auditor and also continued to work for FACE Foundation of St. John’s Academy, Jamestown as the bookkeeper and secretary. After her husband died in 1993, Bette returned to live at Jamestown. She married Tom Parsons on April 24, 2004 at St. Brenden’s Catholic Church at Bothell, WA. They resided in Shoreline, WA until his death on September 4, 2009. Bette moved back to Jamestown in October 2009.
Bette was a member of St. James Basilica, Jamestown, a former member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Shoreline, WA. She was also a member of St. James Tabernacle Society, St. Elizabeth Circle and Sacred Heart Altar Society of Fried, ND. She was also active as a member of Sacred Heart Church Choir, St. James Basilica choir for 30 years, and was a CCD Teacher for many years. Bette served as Secretary/Treasurer for Sacred Heart Altar Society, and was a member of Jamestown Hospital Auxiliary since 1974. Bette also served on the State Board for the ND Hospital/Home Auxiliaries for 8 years, serving as its president for 2 years and served on the Board of FACE Foundation for 20 years. She was a Eucharistic Minister to shut-in for St. James Basilica and , for many years, accompanied for Mass at the North Dakota State Hospital, Hi-Acres Nursing Home, Rock of Ages, and St. James Basilica.
Survivors include her two step-children; six step-grandchildren; and special family members, Eddie Kelleran family, Detroit Lakes, MN, Ernie Dawson family, Jamestown and Gary Fox family, Jamestown, ND, and Rodney Wilhelm family, Jamestown; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Guy and Tom; 3 brothers, John, C. Robert and Leo William LeFevre; three nephews; one niece; three brothers-in-law; and four sisters-in-law.
Mass of Christian Burial – 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 16, 2023 at St. James Basilica, Jamestown.
Rosary with Prayer Service to follow – 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown.
Spring Burial – Calvary Cemetery, Jamestown.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to – F.A.C.E, PO Box 1432, Jamestown, ND 58402 or SMP Health – Ave Maria, 501 19th Street NE, Jamestown, ND 58401.
Eddy Funeral Home assisting the family with the arrangements.