https://www.elgincourier.com/article/obituaries/betty-isabel-widdoss

Betty Isabel Widdoss
    November 22, 1921 - August 27, 2021 (Age 99)
   
Betty Widdoss departed this life August 27, 2021, three months short of her 100th birthday.  She leaves behind a legacy of inspiration, of hard work, of winning smiles, of forceful opinions and a loving heart.
   
A private memorial service celebrating Betty is planned at Greater Waco Baptist Church in Waco, TX.  Additionally, a remembrance celebration will be held in November 2021 at Yegua Creek Farms Pecan Orchard in Elgin, TX.

Betty was born November 22, 1921, as Ann Isabel Wise in Crawford Township, Wyandot County, Ohio.  She was the seventh child (and only daughter) of Charles and Myrtle Wise.  Because her mother died when she was only two, her early years were difficult.  When she was orphaned at age five, Lloyd and Tina Basinger adopted her, beginning her life as Betty.
   
At nineteen, Betty married Maynard Niswander with whom she had three children.  Widowed in her fifties, Betty later married Wilbur (Bill) Widdoss.
   
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; daughter Katherine Niswander; brothers Everett, Ralph, Arthur, Raymond, Fred, and Edward Wise; and son-in-law, Baltazar Ramos.
   
Survivors include her children, Gene Niswander (Eileen) of Elgin, Mary Ellen Ramos of Waco, and step-son Monte Widdoss (Ellen) of Escondido, CA.  Her grandchildren include Patricia Niswander (Patrick Jones), Michael Niswander (Gabriella Bouzigard), Baltazar Andres Ramos, Ann Gravagne (Ian), Jonathan Ramos (Mayra), and Mark Williams (Michelle). Betty’s great-grandchildren include Mar Ramos, Dylan Ramos, Gina Gravagne, Lydia Gravagne, and Raymond Gravagne.  Betty is also survived by numerous other nieces and nephews and friends.
   
After moving to Minneapolis in 1954, she worked at Munsingwear, Inc. (Remember shirts with the penguin logo?)  Betty became a vital cog in the experimental knitting department, helping to develop novel fabrics for NASA, among others.  Betty retired after 28 years of service to Munsingwear.
   
Food was a passion for Betty.  She began working for a catering company while still at Munsingwear and later as a food demonstrator in stores in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.  Serving family, friends, and strangers brought her immense satisfaction and joy--and delighted those who ate her wonderful treats!
   
In 2000, Betty joined Mary and Baltazar Ramos in Laredo.  She enjoyed traveling for family visits in Minnesota, California, and Elgin.  She was always ready to go!  In Elgin, she was a social butterfly, enjoying neighborhood gatherings, Chamber of Commerce events, Hogeye Festival, and farmers’ markets.  In Waco, Betty attended church and neighborhood socials and was a member of the China Spring Civic Club.
   
Betty loved the pecan orchard at Yegua Creek Farms owned by Gene and Eileen Niswander.  Her recipes are used in many products prepared at the farm. 
   
Betty’s spunk and energy were inspirational.  So many people considered her a member of their own family that we often heard “She’s everyone’s Grandma Betty!”  If there is a kitchen in heaven, know that a red-haired tornado is whipping up a pile of food for everyone.  So, y’all come, ya hear!
   
The family would like to thank the staff at Texas Home Health Hospice who enabled Betty to remain in her home in Waco, cared for by her daughter Mary.