Obituary of Bette Lou Maul Coffman

BETTE LOU MAUL COFFMAN ã?? Bette Coffman died June 17, 2010 of complications from a stroke. A Camas resident since 1946. Bette and Jim Coffman owned Henry Maul Auto Parts in Camas and Washougal Auto Parts in Washougal until their retirement in 1988. Bette was born in Portland, OR on February 27, 1923 to Henry and Lu Maul. She remained in Portland graduating from Lincoln High School and attending business college until getting a job in Seattle, WA. On a trip back to Portland to visit her parents she met Jim Coffman in 1942. After a wartime long distance courtship they were married in 1944 in Camas where her parents and moved to start a business. Bette and Jim started married life in Astoria, OR where he was stationed. After the war they moved to Camas to join the family business. Their marriage lasted almost 64 years until Jim's death in 2008. They raised 2 children in Camas - Penny Jim McGlinn and Scott Aleda and had the joy of participating in the lives of their 3 grandchildren Daryn Coffman Jessica, Ryan Coffman Marina and Grace Coffman Bader Robert and 6 great grandchildren whom they adored. Bette was a talented dancer starting at Lincoln High where she was a majorette for the band and she continued her love of dance by convincing husband Jim that they should take ballroom dancing lessons. That became a passion for both of them throughout the rest of their lives even to the point of taking their vacations to teach dance lessons aboard cruise ships. They relished meeting people and enjoying a myriad of friends through the social network of dancing. Bette was a wonderful hostess, the Coffman house was always open to family and friends and was full of love, laughter, and conversation. Bette and Jim also had a passion for skiing and playing golf, taking many trips in their motorhome after retirement to pursue the best slopes and courses. Theirs was a great romance as they spent all of their working and leisure time together doing the things they loved. Family and friends will remember Bette as a wonderful woman who was an inspiration to all with her kind and caring ways, her high spirits, and her love of life. Bette was preceded in death by Jim and her sister, Frances Maul. In lieu of a funeral, there will be a gathering of friends and family later this summer to celebrate all three lives. Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation in Camas is in charge of the arrangements. The family would like to thank Tatyana Baranets and the staff at Tender Care in Vancouver for their loving care and attention to Bette for the last 2 years. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.