Bettie (Whitney) Viering, 90, of Lemoore, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2008 surrounded by family and friends after a brief illness. She was born on June 28, 1917 in Pasadena, to Howard and Patti Whitney.

The second of six children, Bettie was fortunate to be raised in a close-knit family that instilled in her a devotion to family. All six siblings remained close throughout their lives. She attended school in South Pasadena, graduating from South Pasadena High School in 1937. She met her husband of 55 years, Don Viering, in Palm Springs during World War II. Sergeant Viering and Bettie met in the Army dental clinic, where she worked as a civilian dental hygienist and he worked as a dental lab technician getting soldiers ready to be shipped overseas.

After the war, they purchased a new home in Rosemead. Bettie was a loving wife, mother and homemaker to her family. She was involved in every activity of her two girls, Patricia and Julie, as a Girl Scout Leader, Sunday school teacher, and PTA member. An accomplished seamstress, Bettie made school clothes, Easter dresses, and costumes for her girls during their school years.

Bettie had a lifelong interest in antiques and collectibles. A job transfer found Bettie and Don in Lemoore in 1970, where the perfect opportunity arose for Bettie to pursue her passion with the opening of the Sarah Mooney Museum. She put her heart and soul into the museum as a board member, docent, and tour guide. She was at her happiest when giving one of her "living history" tours dressed in her period costume giving visitors a glimpse into the past with her lively descriptions of early 1900's life in Lemoore. She especially loved the local elementary school classes that would come to the museum to hear her stories about Sarah Mooney and her family. Bettie was also an avid button collector and had several Best of Show exhibits at fairs with her collection.

Retirement years found Bettie and Don traveling the country in their VW camper with trips to the high Sierra, the coast, Texas, and Ohio, often with one or more of her grandchildren along to enjoy the experience of backpacking, fishing, and camping. Bettie was proud of her accomplishment of hiking the John Muir Trail from Yosemite to Mount Whitney. Grandchildren were a special blessing to Bettie. She would have at least one of her grandchildren for summer vacations at her home, giving of her time and love, and letting them experience the magic of her backyard.

She is survived by her two daughters, Pat Garcia (husband Bill) of Huntington Beach, Julie Kroger (husband Larry) of Vacaville; six grandchildren, Ron Garcia of Mission Viejo, Richard Garcia of Newport Beach, Russell Garcia of Dana Point, Julie Grumet of Huntington Beach, Travis Kroger, and Marta Kroger of Vacaville; six great-grandchildren, Kevin Ward, Joshua Grumet and Jameson Grumet of Huntington Beach, and triplets, Yvonne, Tristen, and Evan Theard-Garcia of Dana Point; three siblings, Robert Whitney (wife Adele) of Montebello, Mary McIntyre '40 of Sacramento and Patti Laursen of Los Angeles; and numerous nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Don in 1998; her eldest brother, Howard Whitney; and sister, Martha Whitney.