Betty Josephine Bolstad

Betty Josephine Bolstad, 95, born on July 17, 1923, in Silver Creek, Nebraska, passed away June 6, 2019. Born to Almyra Wisely and Warren Hastings, Betty was the youngest of nine. At a young age, she loved to play with dolls and enjoyed her Mother's chicken dinners. After graduating high school, Betty rode her horse everyday to a one-room schoolhouse where she taught elementary school to children in the local town.


Eventually, Betty moved to Hollywood, California to live with her brother and met her future husband on a train from Portland, Oregon to Los Angeles. In 1945, her and Charles Bolstad wed upon arriving back from World War II. Betty went on to work at a local bank in Los Angeles and 11 years later gave birth to their first daughter and then to their son, where she later took up the passion of sewing.


Characterized firsthand by nine and a half decades of change in the political and socio-economic climate, Betty was politically-charged, and especially passionate about women's rights. She also enjoyed basketball and baseball games, especially the Dodgers, Angels, and Lakers.



Betty was proceeded in death by her eight brothers, sisters, and husband.


She is survived by her son, David, her daughter, Susan, five granddaughters and two grandsons, four great granddaughters, four great grandsons, and too many nieces and nephews to count.


As the matriarch of her family, her unequivocal dedication to her husband, kids, grandchildren, and words of wisdom will live on in the hearts of those who loved her and continue to mourn her.


She resided in Tustin, California at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California.