Betty Jean Howell

Palmer resident Betty Howell, 79, died March 5, 2012, in her home with daughter Nancy Robison, granddaughter Melissa Elder, great-grandsons Michael Elder and Christopher Elder, and great-granddaughter Nancy Elder by her side. Betty was in the wonderful care of Hospice since September 2011.

Betty was born May 28, 1932, in San Gabriel, Calif., to Leroy and Wilma Beresford. Betty also had two older sisters, Geraldine Hemphill and Alice Lyon. The three sisters were very close to each other, always having fun and making wonderful memories to remember and pass on to the next generations. Her sister Alice Lyon died Sept. 6, 2011.

Betty graduated from Mark Keppel High School, where she played in an AAA softball league. She worked at many jobs from a soda shop to working as a machinist and assembly line worker, which she loved doing. She retired to be a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Betty was married to Jessie Charles Howell in May 1953, in Las Vegas, Nev. He was the love of her life. They moved to Stagecoach, Nev., in 1978 and built a grocery store and gas station. They lived there until 1988, when the love of her life died May 8, 1988. She then moved to California with her daughter, Nancy Robison, and her husband, Gary Robison. She then moved to Colorado with her family, and her final move was to Alaska in March 2000.

Betty loved to gamble and enjoyed her hand-held solitaire games, but most of all playing count the yellow cars, tic-tac-toe, the hand slapping game, hangman and much, much more with her great-grandkids Michael, Christopher and Nancy. She just enjoyed every moment with them as much as they did with her. She also loved bringing all kinds of strays home, including a horse she had found in a field.

She enjoyed the wildlife of Alaska, especially a pet squirrel named Squirrely, that she was able to hand feed and have sit on her lap. While visiting her son Nathan in Idaho, she would feed the raccoons and deer. She enjoyed Bible movies, the movie “Dirty Dancing” and adored listening to Elvis. She would be able to bring people out of their shells and lighten their day. Her favorite sayings were “stop and think” and “watch out for the other guy.”

Betty is survived by daughter, Nancy Robison and her husband Gary Robison of Wasilla; sons, Nathan Howell and wife Karen of Hayden, Idaho, and Jerry Howell and wife Patti of Mission Viejo, Calif.; granddaughter, Melissa Elder and fiancé Jason Westwood of Palmer; great-grandchildren Michael, Christopher and Nancy Elder of Palmer; granddaughter, Natasha, husband Matthew Demercado and their children, James, Travis, and Luke; sister, Geraldine Hemphill and husband Lee of Goodyear, Ariz.; many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces- and great-nephews; and her cat, Honey Bun.

Pastor Paul Krauszer will officiate at a memorial service at 11 a.m., March 24 at 1955 Creekwood Park Circle Community Building in Palmer.

She was cremated at Legacy (Kehl’s) Funeral Homes and Cremation. Her ashes will be spread in the springtime.

The family said it would like to thank the very special people who took care of Betty. “She was under the care of Dr. Jeffrey Melendez, nurse Julie, bath aide Jenny, Pastor Paul and caseworker Renee,” the family wrote. “You will never be forgotten, and you have touched our hearts!

“Betty had touched and warmed so many people’s hearts. No one was a stranger to her. She was an incredible mom, grandmother, great-grandmother and all-around amazing woman. She will be missed very much and by so many!”

If you have any questions, concerns or would like to send something, please feel free to call Melissa at (907) 982-4724. You may also leave a message if she is unable to answer.