Bette Anne Jibby

August 14, 1939 – April 18, 2024

Bette was born in San Francisco on August 14, 1939, to Esther (Gronberg) and Frederick Ludemann. Her earliest memory recalled hearing the Bay Area air raid sirens in the early days of WWII and hiding in a closet with her mother (Dad was in the Pacific). She attended grade school at St. Matthews in San Mateo. She became a big sister with the birth of her brother in 1949. She tried her hands at the piano, but confessed she had no talent for it. She participated in Brownies and Girl Scouts. She graduated from Mercy High School in Burlingame, which became one of her fondest memories. She worked during her high school summers using the address-o-graph machine, babysitting and other odd jobs throughout her senior year. After graduation, she worked for Prudential Insurance. One night, she attended a dance in San Carlos with her friends, which is where she would unknowingly meet the love of her life William (Bill) K. Jibby. They were married on December 27th, 1958. 

The couple lived in San Mateo and Sunnyvale, where they had four children, William F., Barbara, Robert, and Brian. As a result, she became a stay-at-home mother and didn’t re-enter the work force until after 1973, when the family moved to San Jose (Almaden), living there until 1984. She rediscovered her catholic faith, which she embraced throughout the remainder of her life. She became Vice-President of the local PTA and ascended to President, then Little League President for two terms. She spent time as a school secretary (Belden), typist clerk (Los Alamitos), and Principal’s assistant (Pioneer). 

Their next move was to Tempe, Az. due to a job transfer for Bill. She became involved with Welcome Wagon and did volunteer census work. She passed a typing test and went to work at America West Airlines in the Pass Bureau. She would stay for 10 years and become a well-respected fixture, which enjoyed the travel benefits it provided. She and Bill traveled to many cities globally and also separately with her long-time friends.  

She enjoyed reading John Patterson Novels and auto-biographies, watching Diamondbacks Baseball, Hallmark channel movies, Broadway Shows, the dancing of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, the singing of Tony Bennett, eating at the White House grill (Lamb Kuzo) and Mexican & Chinese food, playing cards with family and friends, the companionship of her many cats and dogs, and playing table tennis. 

After their retirement in 1997, they chose Post Falls ID to retire after visiting several times. They picked a location and had a house built in 1999. Bette and a friend founded AWARE (America West Airlines Retirement Employees) in February of 1998 and was elected its first President; the group has grown to over 300 paying members. 

However, she was dealt a life-changing diagnosis of PLS (Primary Lateral Scoliosis), which would affect the next 26 years of her life and would eventually have her succumb to its affects. She was able to celebrate with the love of her life and family, plus lifelong friends on their Sixty-fifth wedding anniversary December 27th, 2023. 

Bette was preceded in death by her parents Esther Romaine Ludemann in 2011 and Frederick John Ludemann in 1999. She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) K. and Brother Fred Ludemann; Daughter, Barbara (Jibby) Jorgensen; son, William F.; son, Robert Jibby; son, Brian Jibby; Daughter-in-law, Rochell (William F.) Jibby; Son-in-law, Carl (Barbara) Jorgensen; Granddaughters, Brianna (Jorgensen) Howland, Jessica (Jorgensen) Darval, Amanda (Jibby) Shold, Ashley (Jibby) Fuller, Brittany (Jibby) Karlsen and Brandie Jibby; Grandson, Cody Jorgensen; great granddaughters, Simea and Haven; Freya and Astrid; great grandsons, Casey; Henry; and Gunnar. 

We gratefully acknowledge the care, focus, patience and devotion displayed by her caregivers and the many years of scheduling provided by Family Resource, whom we trusted with her care. In addition, Hospice of Northern Idaho whose comfort, attention, and dedication, assisted her and our family with a smooth transition.