Bettie Pruden Lerdall, 96, passed away peacefully in the care of Hospice of the Valley (AZ) on January 14, 2020. She was born on July 21, 1923 and raised in Alameda, CA. On her 20th birthday, she enlisted in the Marines and became a platoon sergeant and drill instructor at Camp Lejeune, NC. Known as “Prudie” in the Corps, Bettie loved being a Marine and service to her country was extremely important to her.

She remained active with the Women Marines Association throughout her life, traveling to conferences across the country and building lifelong friendships.

After her military service, she studied at the University of California, Berkeley, before joining the U.S. State Department. She met her husband William, U.S. Air Force Attaché to the Middle East, in Karachi, Pakistan, and they were married there at the U.S. Embassy.

They went on to live in Tampa, FL, Cairo, Egypt and Rapid City, SD, among other places, before settling in Arizona in 1962 where they raised their family. Bettie was an avid golfer at both Arizona Golf Resort and Cumberland Golf Club (WI), where she taught the game to many and served as the resident expert for swing tips, impromptu lessons, rules, and etiquette. She was an early advocate for women’s golf, helping organize the Arizona Silver BelleChampionship and was a long-time board member of the Women’s Trans National Golf Association.

Developed at an early age, Bettie’s faith was also a vital part of her life. She participated in Bible Study Fellowship, where she led weekly bible study groups well into her 90’s and was an active member of the Methodist church in Mesa, AZ and Cumberland, WI.

She loved Arizona sunsets, dark chocolate, crossword puzzles, Jeopardy, and—most of all—her family. Bettie will be remembered for her acts of kindness, hugs, and Christmas cookie deliveries. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, William K. Lerdall, and is survived by son Michael (Marianne), son Larron (Dennis), daughter Lori Tucker (Mark), and son Mark (Laura); grandchildren Kimberly Lerdall Cicinelli, Blake Lerdall, Carrie Tucker, Andie Tucker, Aaron Tucker, and William Tucker; brother-in-law David Lerdall (Elaine) and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the Lerdall family thanks you for considering memorial contributions to the following organizations that meant so much to Bettie: Hospice of the Valley (www.hov.org/donate/donate-now), Red Mountain United Methodist Church (www.rmumc.com/onlinegiving), The Women’s Marine Association (donation.womenmarines.org/donation).