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| October 24, 2018 1:00 AM

Betty Paulus

Betty Paulus of Oldtown, Idaho, passed away on Sept. 25, 2018.

Betty was born Betty Joan Johnson in Sheridan, Wyo., on May 27, 1933, the sixth of seven children to Byron and Vera Johnson (Kester). In 1934 the family moved to Blue Creek near Wolf Lodge. In 1944 the family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Betty graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1951. In 1953 she married Ross Paulus of Dalton Gardens, Idaho. They have two children, Kevin and Laura.

Betty was active in the Dalton Gardens voting precinct as an election official in the 1960s and ’70s. Along with her husband, Ross, they served the Dalton Gardens community for more than 20 years before moving to Oldtown in 1979.

The fondest memory of our mother is her benevolent spirit. She never met anyone that was not a friend. Many classmates, relatives and strangers crossed our threshold growing up; she was Mom to everyone. Her sacrificial spirit for the benefit of others was the creed she lived by.

During our years growing up, we were never in want of anything. We always had a warm bed, plenty to eat and nice clothes for school. There was always hot chocolate ready for everyone after the sledding parties and other activities. Mom was also an excellent scratch cook. Our favorites were homemade cream puffs, hot apple pie with cinnamon sauce and the holiday baking.

Betty is preceded in passing by her husband, Ross, who passed on Jan. 22, 2016. They were married 62 years. Surviving Betty is her sister, Eva Randall of Eugene, Ore., and children, Laura (Randy) Dowell of Fairbanks, Alaska, and son, Kevin (Tina) of Stites, Idaho. Also surviving Betty are seven grandchildren, Melanie Dowell of Roanoke, Va.; Clayton, Katrina and Vaughn Dowell of Fairbanks, Alaska; Kasey Paulus of Anchorage, Alaska; Alex Paulus of Priest Lake, Idaho, and Sean Cumpton of Moscow, Idaho; along with five great-grandchildren, Kylie, Titus, Layla, Kasey and Avrie.

A celebration of life will be held in Newport-Oldtown on Nov. 3, 2018. For information please call Kevin at 208-791-3625 or Laura at 907-978-4148.