Bette Cote

Bette Lou Bothun Cote, 71, entered her heavenly home on October 26, 2025, at Novant Hospital, Wilmington, NC.

Her Celebration of Life will be at 2 pm, Saturday November 8th, at Noe-Brooks Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC. The service will be live-streamed. A reception will be held following the service. 

Bette was born on August 2, 1954, to Chester Ely Bothun and Eleanor Gertrude Benhardus Bothun at Lake Region Hospital, Fergus Falls, MN. She grew up on the Bothun Homestead Farm near Dalton, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Dalton. Bette attended Dalton Elementary School and graduated from Ashby High School in 1972. She attended Compassion Bible School, Minneapolis, and the School of the Associated Arts, St Paul.

Bette was a member of the Narrow Road Rejoicers, singing and sharing the Gospel throughout the Midwest. She was employed at Security State Bank, Fergus Falls, MN. Bette attended Christian Retreat in Bradenton, FL, where she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Peter Cote. They married on May 26, 1984. They became active in several ministries, traveling as evangelists with Gospel Crusade throughout Canada and the United States.

Bette and Bill eventually moved to Carteret County, NC. Their family became complete when their daughter, Celeste Ivory Cote, was born on November 06, 1991. Bette was a stay-at-home Mom, making special memories with her little girl. They loved having picnics and searching for unique shells on the beach.

Bette was gifted at home-decorating. She enjoyed ‘puttering’ around the house - making sure each unique knick-knack was placed exactly in the perfect spot with the right accent to make it look beautiful. In her homes, every item had an interesting story she enjoyed telling to anyone who noticed it!

Bette worked at Knowledge of Christ Books & Gifts, Morehead City, retiring in 2017. She then volunteered at St James Thrift Store, Newport. Bette loved people. She made new friends wherever she went, while keeping her old friends. She made sure to visit with relatives and friends from her school years, when she went ‘home to MN’. She stayed active with her Glad Tidings Church friends, even though she became very involved with her dear church family at Franklin Memorial Methodist Church. Bette also always made a point of getting to know her neighbors, taking time to enjoy visiting with them.

Bette loved the Lord and she loved sharing Him with others. Bette participated in several Bible Study groups and ladies’ groups from many different churches. She studied her Bible; and she was a quiet, but very active Prayer Warrior.

Bette is survived by her dear daughter, Celeste Cote of Wilmington; her five sisters, Corrine Tobolt (Roger) of Big Lake, MN, Eunice Digre of Dalton, MN, Mavis Bolin (Kenneth) of Alexandria, MN, Donna Boren (Danny) of Goldsboro, NC, and Janet Nelson of Alexandria, MN; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her many dear friends. Bette is sadly missed by her faithful little companion, Fritz, who has already found a new loving home.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, who passed to Heaven on June 8, 2021; her parents; and her brothers-in-law, Tom Nelson and Roger Digre.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net.

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC.