Jetta L. Budd
Jetta Budd, a Sitka resident since 1989, passed away Aug. 29, 2019, at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, with her family by her side. She was 72.
She was born March 16, 1947, in Pueblo, Colorado, the daughter of George and Darlene Klein. She had three siblings: Rick, Mick and Valeena.
She graduated from Centennial High School in Pueblo, and in 1969 received a bachelor’s degree in education from Adams State College, Alamosa, Colorado, Her majors were English and elementary education.
Two days after graduating from Adams she married Tom Budd, and they both took teaching jobs in Hoonah. They lived there for 20 years. She loved her students, and had many fond memories of their years there. She liked picnics and occasional skiff rides in the spring and summer to Neka Bay, Glacier Bay and Tenakee.
In 1989, she retired from Hoonah Public Schools, and the family moved to Sitka. She continued to work in education here for the next 17 years, in various capacities, although not as a teacher. She worked for both Sitka School District and Mt. Edgecumbe High School.
She loved to travel and experience various cultures and cuisines. Her passport over the years accumulated stamps from 48 countries on six continents.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Tom Budd, Sitka; daughter Brindle Summers of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren Azure and McKinley Summers and Sierra and Sterling Seal, all of San Antonio; her mother, Darlene of Pueblo; brothers Rick and his wife Marilyn in Florissant, Missouri, and Mike and his wife Lois of Grand Island, Nebraska; and sister Valeena and her husband Harry Hollifield, Pueblo.
Jetta will be missed by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to SAFV.
