Bettie Jane Sandau Peterson, 80

Bettie Jane Sandau Peterson of Hayden, Idaho passed away on Sept. 7, 2012. Bettie was born Aug. 14, 1932 to Albert and Christine Katherine Sandau in a small German community in Kulm, N.D. She was the elder by five minutes of her twin brother, Bobbie, and the younger sister of her brother Glen. The family moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, in 1936, and where she learned to speak English before starting first grade. She graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1950 and then moved to San Diego, Calif.

She married Ted Detton but they were divorced after a few years and she then moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she was a legal secretary. She enjoyed the camping and hiking in Alaska but missed her family and moved back to Twin Falls where she became a secretary for her old high school. She married Leonard "Pete" Peterson and helped him run their oil distributing company. After her divorce she decided to take a job in Boise with the Bureau of Land Management and then the Bureau of the Interior. She received numerous awards for her exemplary service to the United States government and a special award for her twenty years of service. When her stepfather passed away she moved her mother to Boise to live with her. They had a very close relationship, enjoyed many common interests, and took several cruises together. After her mother's passing she decided to retire in Coeur d'Alene to be near her twin brother and his family. She lived in Leisure Park in Hayden and took part in many of the activities at the retirement community. She was a devout Christian and volunteered a great deal of her time to numerous charitable organizations. She adored animals and owned several dogs she was very attached to. She loved traveling, playing pinochle, going to lunch with her friends, spending time with her family, and entertaining as she was a marvelous cook. She was a great favorite of her nieces and nephews and they all enjoyed her wonderful sense of humor.

Always a very active and independent person, it was difficult for her when she became ill with cancer. She had so many good friends at Leisure Park and they were all very helpful during her illness. She is survived by her brother Glen and sister-in-law Joan of Twin Falls and her brother Bob and sister-in-law Darlene of Coeur d'Alene as well as five nieces, three nephews and numerous great-nieces and nephews. At her request there will be no funeral services. The family requests donations be made to the Kootenai Humane Society.

Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Bettie’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com