Elizabeth was born Octrober 22, 1918 in Hollywood, California and died August 11, 1969 in Paso Robles.  After graduating from South Pasadena High School in 1936 she attended Whittier College in Los Angeles where she earned her teaching degree.

Betty moved to San Diego for her first teaching job and there met her husband, Athol Brunk; they were married in 1943.  After their four children were born, Elizabeth started teaching second grade in 1956 at the Winifred Pifer School in Paso Robles.  Diagnosed with breast cancer, she had her first surgery in 1962 and second surgery in 1966.  Betty retired in 1967 after spending much time in the hospital.

From 1967-68, she helped the Winifred Pifer School get a library grant and then helped with cataloging and buying books.  During this time she also wrote a weekly column in the local paper on what was happening in the schools.  Betty died in 1969 and the following Spring (1970) was honored by the naming of the library at Winifred Pifer School as the Betty Brunk Memorial Library.