Elmer “Bett” Bettinger, 86, of North Platte passed away peacefully October 22, 2015 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. Elmer was born the oldest of three children on June 15, 1929 in Ogallala, Nebraska, to Leroy and Mable (Anthony) Bettinger.
He started working early in life to help provide for the family. He worked for O’Connor Drug Store as a runner and working the soda shop, later, his dad helped him join the Navy in 1943, where he was stationed in San Diego as a crash crew member. After serving and honorably discharged from the Navy, he returned home and worked with his dad and learned the electrical trade, working to wire West Central Nebraska with the REA. Elmer then joined the North Platte Fire Department, serving the community with many fellow firefighters such as Jack Frieberg. After his service with the Fire Department, he went to the North Platte Police Department, serving with fellow officers as Officer Waterbury, Office Buck Ripple, Office Bob Siegmann, and Captain Dorrall Young. Elmer loved the night shift on the force, working the Downtown area, “shaking doors’ and walking the beat. He worked the Department during the times of North Platte’s “Little Chicago” and Blackie Robinson times. There were good times and bad, but he enjoyed being a police officer, serving with pride. Elmer then left the Police to go to the North Platte Sheriff’s Department. Again, serving the department with pride and love of the job. While he was on the North Platte Police Department, he met JoAnn Eglehoff, who worked the nightshift as a telephone operator. She and Elmer talked when calls came in for the police department. They were married February 18, 1956.
He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Mabel; wife, JoAnn; brother, Robert; sister, Shirley; mother-in-law, Wilma Eglehoff; and brother-in-law, Dorrall young.
He is survived by his daughter, Vicki (Daniel) Schoenwald of North Platte; sister-in-law, Patricia Young of Las Cruses, NM; cousin, Helen Case of Minden; nephews, Rocky (Rose) Young of CA, Kent (Cheryl) Young of Las Cruses, NM, and Sue Young of Brea, CA; and his beloved pets.
In lieu of flowers a gift to Pawsitive Partners would be greatly appreciated, online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Cards may be sent to Adams & Swanson Funeral Home.
Graveside Memorial Services will be held for both Elmer and JoAnn 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2015 at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with military honors graveside and Chaplain Gary Smith officiating. Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home which is in charge of arrangements.