5Betty Hosier, a long-time resident of Reno, passed away Monday, Jan. 5 at Renown Medical Center.
Born to Kay Bardwell-Slane and Ben Slane at Thermopolis, Wyo. in 1938, Betty was a well-traveled resident of many other places. The list includes Hawthorne, Nev.; Columbus, Ohio; Atsugi, Japan; long Beach, Calif.; Jackpot, Nev.; and of course, Reno, where many of her children and grandchildren still live. Notably, one of her favorite places for the last fifty years was her little plot of land located in the high Sierra Nevada Mountains at Virginia Lakes, Calif.. There she could partake in her favorite hobbies including reading, fishing, crocheting and spending time with her family.

Betty was raised in Hawthorne, attended Mineral County High School and her early career spanned three decades in the casino industry. Her former employers include Hawthorne’s El Capitan as well as the 93 Club and Cactus Pete’s in Jackpot. It was only when she retired from casinos and began working at Early Years Nursery School that she found her true passion of teaching. Her desire to excel pushed her to further her education, and though she was in her mid-50s, she independently earned her GED and ECE Director’s Degree in 1993 and 1995, respectively.

Ultimately, though, Betty’s proudest accomplishment and greatest joy was her family. With P.G. Hosier, she had four children: Karen Hosier-Bishop, Pat Hosier, Marci Hosier-Behmaram (Vahid), and Lorrie Hosier-Wilson. She also loved Rudy Malfabon, a childhood friend of her kids, as her own son and welcomed him into her family. Along with her children, she is survived by her brother Craig Slane (Wendy) and six grandchildren: Jamie Barnett (Jason), Jason Hosier, Joseph Salazar (Andie), Jacob Wilson, Hannah Behmaram, and Amir Behmaram.

She loved her children, cherished her grandchildren, and wanted nothing more than great grandkids (but no one listened). As the Matriarch of such a large and loving family, dinners and holidays were her favorite time to gather everyone together, stuff them with her incredible homemade pies, and recount her many stories of the unique and amazing life she had lead. These events were always filled with laughter and good cheer. They will continue, though without the wonderful woman that made them possible through her life, her hard work, her devotion and her ever-beautiful spirit.

She leaves her family an inspiring example of ambition, generosity, honesty, and most importantly, a legacy of love that continues to grow with each generation.

A family service will be held this summer in Thermopolis, Wyo.