Gertrude Elizabeth (Betty and/or Gerty) Wasson

Gertrude Elizabeth (Betty and/or Gerty) Wasson, age 94, passed away on November 25, 2020, of complications after a short-lived battle with the coronavirus (COVID-19). Betty was born on March 13, 1927 to Steve Bartley and Ada Bell Barker Bartley in Ezel, Kentucky, where she grew up, one of thirteen siblings. Her siblings were Dimple, Rex, Goldie, Beatrice, Glen, Venus, Adaline, Geneva, Juanita, Millie, Betty and Roger, all of whom preceded her in death. Betty had three children (with Ed Peterson), Richard, Elizabeth and Sandra.

Betty later moved to Bowbells, North Dakota where she met her husband, Jim Wasson. They then moved to Malta where they were married in 1963. Jim’s family farmed and ranched in the area. Betty worked as a housekeeper at the Great Northern Motel for many years. She also did private housekeeping duties for family and friends in Malta. Betty was also involved in Avon and Mary Kay makeup sales. Betty and Jim helped raise her grandchildren, Missy, Loretta and Wesley during their younger years. Betty enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. Together, Betty and Jim enjoyed their weekends when they would go dancing. They attended the local jam sessions whenever they could. Betty will always be remembered by family for Thanksgiving dinners with a house packed full of family. She always cooked up a feast and no one went hungry. There was always music and dancing going on in Betty’s kitchen. She will also be remembered for her love of the game Aggravation, which she instilled in all of her family and she’ll be remembered for her beloved lucky dice, Charley Pride.

Betty lost her husband, Jim, in 1998 and later moved to Columbia Falls, Montana to be near her son, Richard. She lived on her own for quite some time until she was moved into the Brendon House because of medical issues. Betty’s son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Belinda, and granddaughter’s, Brenda and Mellissa helped care for her during this time.

Betty is survived by her son, Richard (Dickie) Peterson of Columbia Falls, Montana and her daughter, Elizabeth Sandvick of Malta, Montana. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bert Peterson, Sam Peterson, Brenda Wittlake, Charles (Chuck) Peterson, Yvette Hurley, Mellissa (Missy) Sandvick, Elizabeth (Beth) House, Chris Sandvick, Nathan Sandvick, Yasmine Sandvick, Levi Sandvick, Karessa (Kesi) Sandvick, Loretta Allery, Wesley Allery and William (Billy) Cornelius, as well as numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her daughter Sandra, her grandchildren, Michael (Mike) Allery, George Allery, Shantel Sandvick, and her great grandchildren, Jeremy Sandvick Monroe and Taylor Peterson. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Ada, all of her siblings, a son-in-law, Harold Sandvick, and a daughter-in-law, Belinda Peterson.

Betty was loved by many friends and family and will always be remembered and missed for her kind and gentle heart. She was truly the epitome of a little southern lady.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, a celebration of life will be held in the spring or summer of 2021. Betty will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Jim.