Betty Verda (Downing) Huber

Betty Verda Downing was born to Bertha Louise Rutzen and Charles Edward Downing in San Francisco, California. She was the second of three daughters and very close to her sisters, Ellen Marie and Patricia Ann.

As a child, Betty attended Sheridin Elementary school in San Francisco. She loved art, as well as singing, dancing, acting and putting on plays for parents with her neighborhood friends. Betty loved to cook and bake.

Before marriage, Betty worked at Emporium modeling turbans. She also worked as a clerical for California Physicians Medical Insurance Co. and Coffin Reddington Wholesale Drug Co.

Betty loved ballet dancing and being on stage. For many years, she was lead ballerina for the San Francisco Recreation Department performances at Sigmund Stern Grove, Golden Gate Park and the San Francisco Opera House, to name a few.

Betty met her husband, Eugene Charles Huber, when she was 12 years old. As they grew up and attended Balboa High School, they continued to date on and off, graduating in 1942. Gene and Betty were married at St. Michaels Catholic Church in San Francisco on January 26th, 1946, after he returned from the war.

Betty continued to dance and perform for the ballet company when their first daughter, Linda was born in 1947. She then retired after the birth of their second daughter, Sandra in 1949. Life became busy with the birth of Michael in 1951, Donald in 1953, Richard in 1958, and the last member of the "Tribe”, Patricia in 1961. When the children were grown, Betty worked as a clerk for San Francisco City Schools in the audio visual department.

Betty was a loving and caring wife, mother, homemaker, seamstress, and very involved with clubs in her community. For many years, Betty organized, directed, performed and created costumes for the Chickens Ball Vaudeville show, a fund raiser for the San Carlos Public Schools. In 1978, Betty and Gene moved to San Mateo, then upon retirement moved to Magalia, before spending their final years in Roseville, California.

Betty is survived by "The Tribe" Linda Karen Neth, Sandra Marie Wicher (Gordon), Michael Charles Huber ( Fran), Donald Eugene Huber (Susie), Richard Alan Huber (Valerie), Patricia Jean Taylor (John), as well as sister in law Lois Crotty.

Betty had 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Gene, her sisters Ellen and Pat and grandson, Kenneth Edward Wicher.

There will be a funeral Mass at St. Clare Catholic Church, 1950 Junction Blvd. Roseville, California on September 21st, 2023 at 10:30am. A reception will follow in the St. Clare Morris Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptune-society.com/location/sacramento-ca for the Huber family.