Betty Ann Klatt

On April 18, 2015 the Lord opened his gate to accept another beautiful angel. Betty passed away at Advanced Care Hospital in Las Cruces, surrounded by family and friends. Betty Ann Klatt was born a "Leap Year baby" on February 29, 1932 in Tulare County, California to Gertrude C. and Raymond B. Spittler. On June 5, 1972 she met the love of her life, Gregory "Chief" Klatt, who was in the Navy Seabees at Port Hueneme, California. After a whirlwind romance they married in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 4, 1972. During her husband's career, she traveled overseas numerous times, seeing places as Guam, Saipan, Japan, Hawaiian Islands and Adak, Alaska on the Aleutian Island chain. Betty also traveled to Europe and saw Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxemburg and Morocco. She enjoyed traveling and loved camping out. In 1989, Chief retired from the Navy and they bought a house in Oxnard, California to settle down; but not for very long. On July 1, 1993 they bought a business and moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. She worked with her husband at Auto Electric Service as a bookkeeper until they retired in 2010. She loved sports and was an avid bowler and pool player, and she accumulated many trophies in both sports. Betty loved to party and socialize with family and friends. Her favorite place to party was Chope's in La Mesa, where she was known to "shoot" a tequila or two. Betty enjoyed her last birthday there with family and friends. She was looking forward to celebrating her "21st" birthday there next year. Her hobbies were photography, collecting spoons and angel figurines; Betty was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ladies Auxiliary and a member of VFW Post 6917. She loved to go to state conventions. She enjoyed preparing food and was well known for her "famous" potato salad and Jell-O shooters. Of all her hobbies, she enjoyed her children and grandchildren most. Betty was preceded in death by both her parents and all three of her children, John R. Escobar, Jacque A. Mayer, and Jerry A. Escobar. She is survived by her husband, Gregory E. Klatt; daughter-in-law Lou Escobar, Las Cruces, New Mexico; son-in-law Dennis Mayer, San Jose, California; seven grandchildren and their spouses: Brian A. Escobar, Sean G. Escobar and his wife Anzela, Las Cruces, NM; Josh R. Mayer and his wife Giordona, Santa Rosa, California; Jeni A. Portillo and her husband Luis, San Jose, California; Jori A. Mayer, Gilroy, California; Jesse R. Mayer, Portland, Oregon; William A. Escobar, Hanford, California; four great grandchildren, Tyler G. Escobar and his wife Kelly, Destiny M. Escobar, Las Cruces, New Mexico; Justyn R. Mayer, Spencer D. Clark, Santa Rosa, California; Chelsea B. Beatty, San Francisco, California; a great-great granddaughter, Natalie R. Escobar, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Two adopted daughters, Patty Walters, Karen McCarter and her husband Tom, Las Cruces, New Mexico; and her dog Sushi, Las Cruces, New Mexico. The family would like to thank Dr. Azhar Zahir, M.D., his right-hand Mike and his staff; and the professional staff at Mountain View Medical Center, Advance Care Hospital. A visitation for Betty will be held Friday, April 24, 2015 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Getz Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Getz Funeral Home Chapel. PDF Printable Version