Betty Lou Watenpaugh, 77, of Bellevue, Wash., died on July 4 at her home.

Mrs. Watenpaugh was born on May 11, 1928, in Sheridan, the daughter of John and Evelyn McClintock.

She was raised in Sheridan and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1946.

She married Albert H. Watenpaugh on Aug. 31, 1947, in Sheridan. They lived in Sheridan until 1962; Moses Lake, Wash., from 1962 to 1969; Cheyenne from 1969 to 1985; Issaquah, Wash., from 1985 to 1995; and Bellevue from 1995 to the present. She was a homemaker and devoted mother, worked as a secretary and bookkeeper and also served as a volunteer firefighter for 10 years in Wyoming. While living in Cheyenne, her husband was first dean of administration at Laramie County Community College.

In her leisure time she enjoyed gardening, needlework, knitting, and was well known for her many hand-stitched quilts. In 1983 she earned the Grand Championship award at the Puyallup Fair for one of her quilts. She quilted several of the Salmon Day quilts which were raffled during Salmon Days in Issaquah. In addition, she quilted and gave more than 75 quilts to numerous charitable organizations, family members and friends who cherish each one.

While living in Sheridan she was a founding member of the Sheridan African Violet Club, a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the Junior Women's Club and was a life member of Naomi Chapter No. 2 Order of Eastern Star. In Moses Lake she continued her membership with Beta Sigma Phi. Later in Cheyenne she was a member of the First Congregational Church, she joined the X-JWC (former Junior Women's Club), and maintained her Beta Sigma Phi membership with their local chapter. When she moved to Issaquah she became a member of the Issaquah Quilters.

In addition to her husband of almost 58 years, survivors include three daughters, Patricia Courtney of Puyallup, Wash., Carol Strack, of Everett, Wash., and Phyllis Davis of Bellevue; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Linton of Renton, Wash.; sister, Beverly Legters of Tempe, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her son, John, in 1998.

A celebration of her life will be held 10 a.m. Friday at the Newport Covenant Church, 12800 SE Coal Creek Parkway, Bellevue. Inurnment was held at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made to Providence Hospice of Seattle, 425 Pontius Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109, Alzheimer's Association, 12721 30th Ave NE Suite 101 Seattle, WA. 98125, Watenpaugh family scholarship in care of LCCC, or donor's choice.

Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family's on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com.

Arrangements are by Flintoft's Funeral Home and Crematory in Issaquah.