Bette Sinclair Grula

Talkeetna’s oldest resident Bette Sinclair Grula, 90, died in her home on April 15, 2012.

Bette, affectionately known as “Bette Boop” by family and friends, was born in Casper, Wyo., in 1921. Her family moved to California when she was a girl, and she lived there for more than 70 years. Bette began visiting Alaska in 1983 to see her daughter, Carolyn, and granddaughter, Cedar. She finally moved to Talkeetna to be near them in 1997, where she lived in her own little cottage built by her daughter and son-in-law, David.

From farm life to city life and back to country life, she lived contentedly saying, “I can live anywhere love is, even a tent.”

Bette was a telephone operator from the industry’s pioneer days with plug-in cords all the way to the first use of computers. She loved communications and is credited with keeping her family and friends in contact with each other. She was often heard saying, “I just want to keep in touch.”

Bette loved dancing and shared music, nature and road trips with her devoted husband, Carl, until his passing in 1973.

Bette embraced her loving God and enjoyed reading scripture and poetry from many mystical traditions, her favorite being the Bible. In her final years, she became very contemplative and valued silence.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Carl Grula.

Surviving are her children, John and Carolyn; grandchildren, Peter, Dana and Cedar; and her great-grandchildren, Blake, Logan, Hudson and Haro Drew.

Her most recent joy was the March 3, 2012 birth of Haro Drew who she was able to hold him in her arms before her passing.

Here is a little ditty Bette wrote and often sang: “I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free. I sing because I’m in Alaska, where animals and people are free.”

Cards and kind words can be sent to her family at P.O. Box 2, Talkeetna, AK 99676.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family. A guestbook is online at alaskanfuneral.com.