Mary E. “Bettie” Beach, 85 of Sheridan, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at Memorial Hospital of Sheridan County.

Bettie was born in the old hospital in Sheridan to Raymond and Florence Towle on January 11, 1923. She grew up with her parents at the Agricultural Experimental Station east of Sheridan. After graduating from Sheridan High School, she attended the University of Wyoming majoring in business.

Bettie married Keith R. “Buck” Beach on April 5, 1945 in Hardin, MT and together they had two daughters. She worked as a bookkeeper and clerk for many years for Jensen Machine Works and Sears.

Bettie lived most of her adult life south of Sheridan near Banner. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and traveling. Bettie loved wtching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities.

She was a long time-member of the Blue Sky Saddle Club, the Banner Women’s Club and the Wakeley Women’s Club.

Bettie was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Florence, her husband Buck and a granddaughter, Jamie (Goodman) Fancher.

She is survived by her daughters, Helen Beach of Tucson, Arizona and Linda Olson of Sheridan; her five grandchildren, Jason Goodman, Kim Kretschman, Kelli O’Loughlin, Josh Goodman and LeeAnn Goodman; and her five great-grandchildren Ian, Lane, Galen, Wade and Lauren.

Funeral services will be held at Kane Funeral Home on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Bobby Moore officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, Wyoming, next to her beloved granddaughter Jamie (Goodman) Fancher.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Bettie’s name to the Sheridan Senior Center, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801.

The Sheridan Press - October 22, 2008