Betty Jo McKinnon Clark

Feb. 9, 1940 to May 28, 2026

From <https://www.cheneyfreepress.com/story/2026/06/11/obits/betty-jo-mckinnon-clark/44332.html>

Betty Jo (McKinnon) Clark, formerly Weirauch and Buche, 86, of the Inland Empire, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born on February 9, 1940, in Spokane, Wash., to Ben McKinnon and Mina Ellingson McKinnon. She attended Field Elementary School and, in 1955, moved with her family near Geiger Field when her parents purchased the Maple Leaf Motel and Grocery. She graduated from Cheney High School in 1958 and went on to attend Eastern Washington University. She spent her entire life in the Inland Northwest, a region she deeply loved.

Betty dedicated much of her life to serving her community and working hard for her family. She owned and operated Pizza-U-Bake located off 1st Avenue in Cheney for fifteen (15) years and later worked for the Cheney Postal Service, retiring in 2006.

She was an active and devoted member of several organizations, including the Beta Theta Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, the Cheney Chili Pepper Red Hat Society, and the Spokane Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, where she was a 50-year member. During her time with Eastern Star, she served in various leadership roles, including Worthy Matron (1974–1975) and Washington State East Side Chairman of the Deputy Instructors (1979–1980).

Betty was an avid traveler, especially enjoying annual trips to Mexico and exploring the Pacific Northwest. She had a gift for making others feel welcome-always present, always engaged, and genuinely interested in getting to know everyone she met. Her warmth, kindness, and strong sense of community left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Donna Bellman (2019); and her brother-in-law, Dick Bellman (2020).

Betty is survived by her son, Brian Weirauch (Melody); her daughter, Brenda Bjorklund; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense pride and joy.

She will be laid to rest at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery, beside her mother and father.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 27th from 11am -1pm at The Boneyard located at 17905 E Appleway Ave, Suite A, Spokane Valley Wash. 99216. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend and honor her life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you support Alzheimer's research, via the Alzheimer's Association, https://act.alz.org/site/TR?pg=pfind&fr_id=19995

Betty will be deeply missed and forever remembered, in her notes she had the below quote,

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Betty Jo Weirauch

Betty Jo Buche

Betty Jo Clark