Elizabeth Voss

Elizabeth (Bette) Voss died April 16, 2005, at Expressions at Summerplace Assisted Living in Portland, Ore. She was 88.

Elizabeth Jaeger was born in Killdeer, N.D. to Joseph J. and Anna Jaeger on February 4, 1917. Her mother died when Elizabeth was 13 years old. From that point on she assisted her father in raising her six siblings.

She married Joseph Thomas in Dickinson, N.D. in 1939.

In 1940, Elizabeth and Joseph followed her brothers Joseph and Peter to Seattle. Her son Thomas was born in 1943. James was born in 1946. During that time she arranged for her younger sisters Agnes, Margaret and Catherine to join her in Seattle. After serving in the Army, her youngest brother Leo also joined his brothers and sisters.

In 1948 Elizabeth, Joseph, and her brother Joseph purchased and operated the Central Tavern in Seattle.

In 1953 Elizabeth and Joseph, with her brother Joseph and his family, purchased the Circle T Inn in Ritzville.

In 1958 Elizabeth and Joseph divorced. Elizabeth then managed the Circle T Inn from 1958 to 1977.

She married Gerald Voss in 1977 and moved to Moses Lake, where she managed TJ's Pantry until her retirement in 1988.

After her retirement Elizabeth and Gerald enjoyed traveling. Places they visited included Guam, Russia, New Zealand, Australia and Central America. In addition she loved cooking, fishing and gardening. Other activities included membership in the Telephone Pioneers after Gerald's retirement from the telephone company. She was a long time member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moses Lake.

Elizabeth moved to Summer Wood Alzheimer's Special Care Center, in Moses Lake, in June of 2002. In January 2005 she relocated, along with her husband Gerald, to Summerplace Assisted living in Gresham, Ore.

During her lifetime Elizabeth was a positive role model to family and friends. She was an inspiration to every one she met. The happiest times of her life were the times spent with her family.

She is survived by her husband Gerald; son Thomas and wife Cathy of Gresham, Ore., son James and partner Barbara Schmick of Seattle, grandson Tyler and wife Heidi and great-grandchild Annika Elizabeth of Seattle; three sisters Agnes Rhode of Huntington Beach, Calif., Margaret Jorgeson of Seattle, Catherine Aid of Seattle; and one brother, Leo Jaeger of Seattle. Also, numerous loved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers: Joseph and Peter.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Summer Wood in Moses Lake for their compassionate care of Elizabeth. Also, a special thanks to the staff at Expressions at Summerplace, in Gresham, for their warmth and support during Elizabeth's short stay at their facility.

An Inurnment Service will be held on Saturday, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 200 N. Dave Road, Moses Lake. Following the service at 1:30 p.m., a celebration of Bette's life will be held at the Circle T Inn, 214 West Main Ave., Ritzville.

Family and friends are invited to attend.