Betty Lou Peterson died peacefully in the arms of her son on Friday, Feb. 27, 2009, at Brendan House in Kalispell. Betty died after a lengthy illness, which she battled with grace.

Betty was born on March 26, 1933, in Helena, to Lester Stevens and Helen Paull. She was the youngest of five children.

In 1968, Betty married William S. Peterson, and together they moved to Kalispell. Bill and Betty, both of whom had children from previous marriages, raised a total of eight children together. Betty built a life in Kalispell where she, along with Bill, owned and operated Glacier Memorial Gardens until 1999.

She was a member of the Eagles and Elks Lodge.

Betty loved cooking, arts and crafts, traveling and fishing (and she always caught the most fish). Betty enjoyed trips to Hawaii with her daughters and granddaughters. The grandkids always knew how to make Grandma laugh! Nicknamed Betty "Boop," she will always be remembered for her contagious smile and poised beauty.

Betty was preceded in death (by two months' by her husband, William "Bill" S. Peterson; her parents; her brother, Tom Stevens; granddaughter, Casey Lynn Kassner; and her sister-in-law and best friend, Rachel Stevens.

Betty is survived by her eight adult children, Vicki Dickerson of Mesa, Ariz., Bill Peden and Denny Lincoln of Kalispell, Tammy Kassner of Anchorage, Alaska, Tim and Patricia Peden of Piedmont, Calif., John W. and Elaine Peterson of Kalispell, Tommy Rushford of Helena, Sandra and Mike McMahon of Granbury, Texas, and James A. and Sue Peterson of Tualatin, Ore.; twin brothers, Larry and Patty Stevens of Helena, and Jerry Stevens of Helena; sister-in-law, Fran Stevens, of Helena; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A private viewing with family and friends will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 4, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, and a small service is scheduled at 3 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A full memorial service will be scheduled in July when friends and family can get together to share memories and stories of Betty and Bill.