Elizabeth 'Betsy' Jean Rodell, 79

Elizabeth Jean (Betsy) Rodell, 79, of Liberty Lake, Wash., died Jan. 17, 2026, at Spokane Hospice House. She was born April 18, 1946, in Spokane to Chet and Marabel Rodell. She graduated Coeur d’Alene High School and attended the University of Idaho, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She completed a two-year program of study at Katharine Gibbs School in New York City. Employed in the travel industry for much of her career, she operated her own agency, Viking Travel in Spokane Valley, where she specialized in cruise vacations. A lifelong explorer, her travels took her from north of the Arctic Circle to Cape Horn, South America, and to Africa, Asia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, and most European countries among others. An avid reader, she was a book club member for many years. A gifted stitcher, she belonged to a variety of stitching groups and filled her home with framed works of stitchery. She was a member of Chapter AG/ID of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Survivors include sister, Kathryn (Tim) Hunt of Hayden; brother, Sam (Calla) of Spokane; nephew, Chester John; niece, Maja Anne; cousins, Duane (Susan) Edmonds, Todd (Kay) Edmonds, Stephen (Paula) Edmonds, Joan Kellner, extended family, and feline friends, Emily and Gigi.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Stephen Chester and Thomas Chester; uncles, Herm Rodell, Burl (Beverly) Hagadone, Duane (Betty) Edmonds, Sr., and cousins, Bill and Jim Edmonds, Duane Hagadone, and Kay Hagadone Wellman. No services are planned. Please visit Betsy’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.