Betty Maxine Lartz passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones Sept. 25, 2022.

She was born Feb. 14,1929, to Michael and Millie Byers thankfully in Elk River, Idaho, and not Chicago. She was the second of seven brothers and sisters: Leonard (Mona) Byers, herself, Jeanette (Gary) Losh, Bonita, Buddy Gale (Jo Ann) Byers, MacArthur Byers, and Connie (Darryl) Wear.

Before her senior year of high school, she and her family moved to Priest River; where she met the love of her life Fredrick Lartz Jr.

In school she was affectionately know as Betty Boop and was on the cheer squad with her sister. Betty talked about working as a soda jerk in Troy, a telephone operator, a laundress in working with the owner and friend Sandy, and building keyboards at Keytronics.

She was never one to let grass grow under her feet, raised four children, Colleen Lartz, Cheryl Lartz, Scott (Diana) Lartz Sr., and Michelle (Kirk) Parge; kept up her home both inside and out, had many beautiful gardens (which Fred mowed over), and enjoyed sewing on her sewing machine. She went camping at her father's cabin the lake then later the river lot her and Fred bought.

You wouldn’t know it to look at her, but she enjoyed showing off her wheelie skills on her motorcycle, snowmobiling, and 4 wheeling. Her favorite time of day was making breakfast and drinking piping hot coffee.

In 1975, she became a grandmother and was known from that point on as Gam to her eight grandchildren: Marla (Garey) Hulce, Heather Hoiland, Kelly (Loren) Kendall, Jennifer (Travis) Edwards, SheriAnn (Brock) Reidt, Scott Lartz Jr., Cody (Shantell) Graham, and Cameron (Brooke) Graham. Gam became a great-grandma in 2001 with the first of nine great-grandchildren: Hunter, Tristan, Trenton, Caleb, Colton, Taylor, Caden, Kimber, and soon to be Baby Graham.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Leonard Byers and his wife Mona; parents, Millie and Michael Byers; sisters, Jeanette and Bonita; her uncle, Otis; niece, Bonny; granddaughter, Heather; and the love of her life, Fred.

Betty and Fred had over 60 years of marriage. Through the good, trying, crazy and happy times, they always loved and lookout for one another. Betty had waited many years to reunite with Fred and all of her loved ones that proceeded her in death. May flights of angels sing her to her rest and take her home into the arms of her loved ones

A graveside memorial service was Friday, Oct. 7, at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services in Newport, Wash., is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are welcome to visit their website at www.shermancampbell.com.