Business of Living

Betty Hamby Gripentog's is nearly 95 years old; this is her third book. This book is about her first 61 years, ending with the death of her husband in 1992, after a 41-year marriage. Betty was born during the Great Depression in 1931 in Southeast Missouri. Her parents moved the family to Las Vegas in 1945, the last days of World War II. In 1949 her parents opened a grocery store, Bonanza Market. Betty married Robert Gripentog; an airman stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in 1950. Betty worked at the store and Bob worked there after his shift at the base. After Bob's honorable discharge, he worked full time at the store. In 1957, with two children and Betty expecting the third, they bought a small boat dock on Lake Mead. Bob and Betty had two more children and as they grew so did their business. With the help of her family and some great employees the business has grown to two marinas, consisting of 1500 slips, 2 restaurants, two marine stores, service facilities and dry boat storage in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, where they have been concessioners for sixty-eight years. They also have a Sales facility and a Service facility in Las Vegas. The businesses can be found under "e;BOATING LAKE MEAD"e;. Betty was honored in 1990 as "e;MARINE WOMEN OF THE YEAR"e; from MRAA. When not busy working on her books in her business office, she still does paperwork for the business. She still drives her car and enjoys playing cards with her friends, doing crafts and spending time with her big family.