Betty Jean Surbaugh

Betty Jean Surbaugh, 84, of Othello, died Monday, May 2, 2011 in Swedish Hospital in Seattle.

Betty was born on April 7, 1927, to Robert Christian and Bessie (Hoisington) Heimgartner on the family farm near Juliaetta, ID.

She attended grade school in Juliaetta on Potlatch Ridge. She attended and graduated from Lapwai High School. After graduation she met Esra R. "Johnny" Surbaugh at a USO dance in Lewiston, ID. They married on January 5, 1946. They lived in Lewiston until moving to Othello in 1955. Betty went to work for Chef Ready as a lab tech from 1967 to 1977. She then went to work for Skone Conner, a potato plant in Warden, and remained there until retiring in 1994. After Betty retired she took care of Esra until his death in 1996.

Betty was an avid flower gardener. Her favorite times were those spent with her family especially her grand children and great-grand children who knew her a "gramma-great". She will be remembered as a compassionate, kind woman who had time for everyone and never had a bad thing to say about anyone. She never complained and always put others needs before hers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Esra, 6 brothers; Everett, Leslie, Elmer, Roy, Wayne and Lawrence and a son Duane.

She is survived by her 3 daughters, Sandra Eilbes of Olympia, Cheryl Bos of Colbert, WA, and Laurinda Bodi (Howard) of Kodiak, AK, 2 sisters Lillie McCall of Lewiston, ID and Laverne Harri of Clarkston, WA.

A celebration of Betty's Life will be held at 2:00 Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Betty will be laid to rest at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel.