Elizabeth “Betty” Jane (Wagner) Ulrich, a long-time resident of Bishop, CA, passed away peacefully on Friday, 28 Nov 2025, at the age of 103.

Betty was born in Santa Ana, CA on 8 June 1922, joining her parents, William Joseph & Eva Blossom (Crawford) Wagner, her half-sister Inez Marcella Glines, her sister Freda Lorraine, and her brother Frederick William. Unfortunately, Betty’s mother died of tuberculosis two weeks after her birth and their father left the family a short time later. Betty, Freda, and Fred were then raised by their great-uncle and aunt, Herman and Emma Wagner.

After growing up, Betty met Wesley Edwin Ulrich while attending Santa Ana High School. On 22 March 1941, they were married at the First Methodist bride’s chapel, also in Santa Ana, and began what would become a 64-year marriage. After the marriage, they made their home in Chula Vista, CA, where Wes worked for a company in San Diego, manufacturing military equipment during WWII. After the war, they moved back to Santa Ana and set up their household.

In 1948, Betty and Wes, along with another couple, homesteaded in Alaska for 18 months, their experiences during those tough winters living off the grid were hardships that made great stories to tell their families and friends over the years. Wes worked construction during this adventure. When they returned to Santa Ana, Betty spent her time being a wife, neighbor, and friend. Over the years, she and Wes acquired several dogs, and two tortoises named Oscar and Myrtle. They lived in Santa Ana until 1978, when Wes retired as a construction foreman, and they moved to Bishop to be near Wes’s sister and husband. They enjoyed traveling the back roads in their off-road truck, fishing remote streams, and just enjoying the great outdoors that this area provided. One year, they also traveled via a paddlewheel boat down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. Betty acquired cats as pets, a Calico and a Siamese, which brought her a lot of enjoyment. She especially enjoyed her many friends over the years and kept in contact with many via letters and the phone.

Although Wes and Betty had no children of their own, she is survived by numerous nephews and nieces, the tortoises Oscar and Myrtle, two of their offspring, and other family and many friends.

Per Betty’s wishes there will be no formal services. A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at East Line Street Cemetery on Tuesday, December 16, 11:00 a.m.