Obituary of Bette Brandis

Bette Theresa Gierke Brandis was born in Olympia 75 years ago, attended Roosevelt Grade School, and graduated from Olympia High School. She received a degree in Home Economics from the University of Washington, and became a Registered Dietician. In Richland, Washington, she was the school district’s school lunch program supervisor. There, in addition to her regular duties, the “Lunch Lady” held classroom tasting parties and nutrition lectures where she introduced new foods and tastes, and encouraged good nutrition. One of her lectures at a state convention was observed by the head of the Child Nutrition Department of the Washington State Superintendent of Public Education, and Bette was offered the position of School Nutrition Program Specialist, covering all the school districts east of the mountains. There, she introduced healthy nutrition and sound record keeping into school district kitchens, and encouraged the personnel to join professional organizations like the Washington State School Foods Association of which she served a term as president. She ultimately became Program Supervisor for National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Special Milk Programs. Bette often said, “A hungry child can’t learn,” and these programs provided some children with their only daily meals. Her efforts impacted thousands of young lives. She was also active in the Washington State Business Organization and the National School Foods Services Association. When she retired, Bette started her own consultant business, lecturing and hosting workshops throughout the United States. Bette passed peacefully on July 16, 2013, surrounded by her loving family at the East Bay Harbor Condominiums, just two blocks from where she grew up as a child on East Bay Drive at the base of San Francisco Hill. Her ashes will be inurned at the old cemetery in Tacoma, next to her beloved brother and mother. Bette is survived by her husband, a daughter and son, and three granddaughters. A celebration of Bette’s life will be held at the First Methodist Church in Olympia on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., with a reception following. Those wishing to make a donation in Bette’s name may forward it to Feed Washington, a non-profit organization dedicated to feeding Washington’s hungry children. Please leave memories of Bette or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.