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Betty Jane (Berlin) Young, 86

Betty was born in Springfield, Mo., on July 14, 1932. She and her mother, Verna, traveled by Greyhound bus to Taft, Calif., when she was 12 years old. She was a cheerleader at Taft Union High School, and when she was just 17 years old she met and married her husband, Robert “Bob” Young. She promised, and did, complete her high school education.

Two years later they had their oldest daughter, Jeannine, and 13 months later had son Robert. They subsequently moved to Oak View, Calif., and raised their family, which now included four more children: Jeanette, John, Don and Terri. They established themselves in their community and their church, St. Thomas Aquinas, in Ojai, Calif.

After many fun-filled years of family raising, with vacations at the lakes and the family cabin, Bob retired and they began their RV traveling with their “RV Rocker” friends, making the most of retirement years. After Bob died of cancer Betty eventually left California and moved in with daughter, Jeanette (aka “Jett”) and her hubby, Jeff, in Spirit Lake, Idaho. Betty loved Idaho! The people, the changing of the seasons, the lakes, the eagles — of everything that Northern Idaho offered, she took it all in!

Her family wants to thank so many people and organizations: Heritage Health (Natalie Brulotte), Crest Home Health & Hospice, Spirit Lake Senior Center, St. Joseph Catholic Church and the community of Spirit Lake (Mrs. “C”).

Betty is predeceased by her husband, Bob; her oldest son, Bob and youngest daughter, Terri. Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spirit Lake, with a small gathering at Jett and Jeff’s home, 31755 N. Seventh Ave., Spirit Lake.

Mom had a smile for everyone she met, so please, in her honor, smile at someone today. They just might need it! She gave hers so freely, even when she was in pain. She said, “They’re free and there’s plenty to go around!” Going to miss you Momma, Miss Betty and Betty Boop!