Betty Jane Nelson
1928 - 2010
Betty Jane (Howard) Nelson, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Friday, May 28, in Winnemucca, Nev., with two of her children by her side.
She was born April 21, 1928 in Fairview, the oldest of three children, to parents Ray and Esther (Haugen) Howard.
Betty served in the Women's Army Corps Hospital Company, Technician 5th Grade, during WWI, and was honorably discharged on Dec. 25, 1945.
Her education included grade school in Fairview, Fort Peck and Dillon, and Beaverhead County High School in Dillon. She graduated from Western Montana College in Dillon in 1963, receiving her bachelor's degree in elementary education.
Betty's first teaching position was in Twin Bridges in 1964. She moved in Lander, Wyo., in 1968, and taught third and fourth grades at the Mill Creek School in Ethete until her retirement in 1982.
She received numerous awards throughout her teaching career. Betty loved the native American people of Mill Creek and the surrounding area. She had great respect for their culture and heritage, as well as admiration for the many children she taught over the years.Betty was active in the Dillon Lutheran Church where she served as the choir director and as a Sunday school teacher.
Being of Norwegian heritage, she was a great cook and cook bake anything, often winning first place ribbons at the county fair. For several years she was known for her cake decorating and fancy candy making. Betty was involved with her children in 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and church, raised a huge garden, raised chickens, and sold milk, cream and eggs.
Betty moved to Winnemucca in 1999 to be closer to her youngest daughter, Chris. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi for many years in Lander and Winnemucca, where she enjoyed the activities and many friends she had made.
She was an auxiliary volunteer at the Lander Valley Regional Medical Center in Lander, and at the Humbolt General Hospital in Winnemucca. The Winnemucca Senior Center was also a place Betty enjoyed lunch and visiting.
One of Betty's talents was quilting. She made many quilts over the year for her grandchildren, friends and family. She was especially interested in heirloom quilts that she had restored. Her talent was extraordinary.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; son, Michael Stanley "Mike" Scofield; and husband, Rex B. Nelson.
She is survived by daughters, Charlotte and Kate Scofield, Dillon, and Chris (Nelson) Finlayson, and husband Dana, Winnemucca; sons, George Scofield, and wife Laurie, Dillon, and Tim Scofield, and wife Lee, Hope, Idaho; brother, Jack Howard, and wife Arleta, Dillon; sister, Verda Clawson, Deer Lodge; 24 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
A committal service will be held in Lander, Wyo., later this summer. Betty's ashes will be placed next to her husband of 27 years, Rex B. Nelson.
We will dearly miss our loving mother, especially her determination and strength.
Donations can be made to the Winnemucca Senior Center or to a charity of your choice.
Frederick Zitzer
1924 - 2010
Frederick Zitzer passed from this life on July 12, a sun-washed, breezy summer day. He died at home, finally overwhelmed by the spread of cancer at the age of 86. His passing was commemorated by four generations of his large family who surrounded him in a circle of strength, love and respect.
His life ended with dignity and poise as he lived. He was strong in his faith, and he was supported to the end by his wife, Patricia, and his nine children.
Fred was born on April 2, 1924, in Bremen, Germany. When he was barely a year old, his family came to America, and settled in Sheboygan, Wisc., where Fred grew up.
He was an accomplished athlete all his life, participating in many sports as a youth, playing on mens teams as a teenager, earning eight varsity letters in baseball and basketball at George Williams College in Chicago, and winning the Masters National Racquetball championship in his 60s.
In his later years he was a popular figure in local fitness clubs wherever he lived. He was fiercely loyal to his favorite professional sports teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Denver Broncos.
Much of his professional career and private life was dedicated to the promotion and pursuit of athletics, especially the development of sports programs for youth. He worked for many years with the YMCA in Toledo, Ohio, Jamesville and Madison, Wisc., concentrating on youth character development through sports programs.
He developed programs for fitness clubs throughout the U.S., coached youth sports teams, including a senior little league baseball team he took to the world series, and helped guide the development of racquetball in North America.
Fred served proudly in the Army during WWII. He took part in day two of the Normandy landing in 1944, was later captured by German forces, and spent the remainder of the war as a P.O.W.
His leadership qualities and personal integrity often came to light during difficult months in prison camp. Much of his commitment to working with young people was provoked by his reaction against the Nazi youth programs he witnessed. Later in life, he returned with Patricia to revisit the battlefields and rekindle friendships made in Germany. He spoke often to school groups about his wartime experiences and life lessons he took from them.
He married his college sweetheart and wife of 61 years, Patricia Anne, on Sept. 10, 1949. Together they raised nine children who have carried on their dedication to remaining a close-knit and vibrant family. Over the years the extended family often came together for boisterous holiday celebrations, anniversaries and weddings. Fred could be found presiding over rousing games of "31". Fred and Pat saw the birth of 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Fred was a devote Lutheran, and gave many hours of volunteer time to church projects, including the stewardship program in Bozeman.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and nine children, Sally (Hans) Hobler, Nancy (Doug) Mawhinney, Stephen, Janet (Ernest), Marypat (Alan), Andrew (Sara), Paul (Laura), Matthew (Sandy), and Thomas (Kimberly); sister, Rose Poth, Sheboygan, Wisc.
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