Nellie Bettis, 90

Nellie Mae Bettis, 90, of Post Falls, Idaho, passed away in Yuma, Ariz., on March 25, 2016, with her family by her side. She grew up in Richey, Mont.

Upon graduation from high school she moved to Spokane, Wash., where she met and married her husband, John. They were married on July 10, 1948, in Spokane and raised their four children on a farm near Rathdrum, Idaho. Nellie was a happy and fulfilled homemaker and loved spending time with her family and friends. She spent the last 30 years in Yuma during the winter months and spent many summers with her husband and family fishing on the Washington Coast. The last 10 years she spent many hours embroidering and loved doing crossword puzzles, which she proved the ability to master.

She is survived by her children, Ken (Naomi) of Hayden, Idaho, Patti (Richard) of Spokane, Paula LaFontaine of Portland, Ore., and Kevin (Robin) of Post Falls; 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Ann Cross Lagasse of Sidney, Mont.; and numerous nephews and nieces. Nellie was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years; her mother and father, Rosa and Pete Carlson; her brother, Carl; her sisters, Ikie and Marie; and son-in-law Len LaFontaine.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, with a reception following at the Yates Hayden Gathering Center. Burial will be at Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane. The family requests that any donations be made in Nellie’s name to The American Cancer Society. You may visit Nellie’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.