Bettina Marian Bracka Halvorsen, 55, of La Mesa, California, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, after a brief illness. Bettina was born to Bruno Wolfgang Bracka and Audrey Marian Bracka on April 27, 1962 in La Mesa, California.

Bettina graduated from Helix High School in La Mesa in 1980 and received a bachelor's degree in International Relations from UC Davis in 1985.  In 2002, she earned a master's degree in International Relations from the University of San Diego.  In addition, Bettina earned a certificate in Marketing and Communications from UC San Diego Extension in 1994.

Bettina married Kurt Eugene Halvorsen in 1986, and they lived in La Mesa since then with the exception of three years in Seattle from 2008 to 2011.

Bettina was a grant-writer at Project Concern International (PCI) in San Diego from 2002-2017.  Her most recent position was as Director of Foundation and Institutional Relations, previously serving as Manager of the New  Business Development Unit.  In her roles, Bettina was responsible or securing funding and managing global project teams to implement crucial global health programs in, among other countries, Nicaragua, Guatemala, India, Ethiopia, and Ghana.

Bettina was a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Grant Professionals Association, and the UC Davis Alumni Association, and she donated to Survivors of Torture, the International Rescue Committee, the Humane Society, and Greenpeace.

Previously, Bettina was employed by UC San Diego from 1993-2000 at the Institute for Global Conflict and Cooperation, as their Campus Programs Coordinator, and as a Logistics Analyst for General Dynamics, Convair Division of San Diego from 1985-1992.

In addition to her passion and dedication to the people served by her work at PCI, Bettina loved to travel, and savored beautiful sights and environments, especially seaside.  She was devoted to her family and friends, pursuing genealogy research to connect with relatives and celebrate family history.  Bettina brought love, humor, intelligence, and an artful touch to all her endeavors and to those closest to her.

Bettina is survived by her husband Kurt, by a sister and a brother, and by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Project Concern International in Bettina's name for Casa Materna.