Betty Mae Kintschi

Betty left us to join the choir in heaven on Monday, March 24, in Cheney.

She was born Nov. 27, 1933 to John and Alvina Kuhn and raised on the farm near Edwall, Wash. with her sister Virginia and her brother Ed.

Betty loved music and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice.

She participated in many vocal contests while attending Edwall High School.

She received a music scholarship to attend Gonzaga University. After a semester at Gonzaga, she married her long time sweetheart, Jim Kintschi.

They made the cross-country drive to Savannah, Ga. where Jim was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. After this time, Betty and Jim moved back home to Edwall to farm the fields and raise cattle.

They became parents to Debbie, Kevin, and Tim within the next few years. Betty and Jim were married for 62 years on March 16, 2014.

Betty kept busy being a wonderful mom and a special partner for Jim on the farm. She was a fantastic cook. She prepared three meals a day not only for her family, but also for anyone who was helping with the farm work.

Betty also enjoyed showing the cattle at fairs and in cattle shows and sales. She even led a heifer around the fountain in the lobby of the Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane during the "Ladies in the Lobby" cattle show and sale. 

Her Christian faith was central in her life.

Church was a part of every Sunday for her family. She taught Sunday school, participated in the ladies Bible study, and led the music for the children at Vacation Bible School.

She was the church choir director for 25 years at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Reardan, followed by another 25 years as the choir director for St. John's Lutheran Church in Sprague.

Betty also enjoyed sewing, swimming, reading and traveling. She sang with the Lamont "Kitchen Kuties" at community events and in retirement and nursing homes. She is survived by her loving husband Jim, daughter Debbie (Allen) Freeman and sons Kevin (Jackie) Kintschi and Tim Kintschi, along with her sister Virginia Lagers and brother Ed Kuhn. She has seven grandchildren, Jared, Krista, Samuel, Hannah, Rachel, Rebekah and Sarah, and four great-grandchildren, Gracie, Kellen, Brynn and Keely.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, in Sprague or the charity of choice in Betty's memory.

"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" Ephesians 5:19-20.

Visitation will be 5 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, at the funeral home.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Sprague. Private family burial will follow. Cheney Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.