Betty Joe Preator

(Nov. 17, 2003)

The funeral service for Betty Joe Preator. who died after a lengthy illness Monday, Nov. 17 in Billings, Mont., will be Monday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Burlington LDS Church. She was 83.

She was born in Ponca City, Okla., on April 2, 1920, to Jonnie Jackson Mitchell and Ida Lean Grapes. She spent her childhood on the 101 Ranch in Ponca City.

In the early 1930s, she moved with her mother and step-father, Lawrence Knapp, to Burlington. There she met and married her husband, Lazell Eyre Preator. They had 58 years together.

She was "Aunt Betty" to young people in the community, and there was always room at her table for anyone who would drop in. Her family was the love of her life.

She loved to crochet, cook and can, and her jams and jellies were the best, not to mention her bread and butter pickles. In her younger years, she sewed and did leatherwork. She loved to write letters to friends and to remember others with cards for every occasion.

Survivors include daughter Geraldine (Bill) Linton of Meeteetse; son Norman (Jean) Preator of Burlington; and daughter-in-law Anne Preator of Las Vegas, Nev.; a sister, Fredora Crichton of Portland, Ore.; 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Her husband and two sons, Terry and James Lee, preceded her in death.

She was a member of the LDS Church, and she and husband Lazell were sealed in the Bountiful (Utah) Temple for time and all eternity.

Haskell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.