Betty Jane (Rice) Cossairt, 81

Betty Jane (Rice) Cossairt, 81, passed away July 19, 2015, at home surrounded by her husband and six children from an extended battle with cancer.

An 11 a.m. memorial service will be held July 25 at Free Methodist Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

She was born April 7, 1934, in Havre, Mont., to Walter and Carrie Rice. 

She was the youngest of nine children. 

She attended school at Big Sandy, Mont., until her junior year when she and her parents moved to MacArthur,Idaho, where she finished high school at Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

She met her husband, Clee, her junior year on the school bus. 

As she got on the bus for the first time, Clee saw her and said “Wow, look at that blond!”

They were married on Jan. 7, 1952, and resided at MacArthur until 1967 when they moved to Paradise Valley near Bonners Ferry.

Betty was involved in 4-H for 27 years as a leader and fair project judge. She was named 4-H leader of the year in 1985. 

Being an assistant Cub Scout leader was another accomplishment. Betty was also  active in the Pythian Sisters.

Betty enjoyed being around children so working for the Boundary County school district as a cook for 14 years was a perfect fit for her. 

She volunteered at the Caring People for Animals Thrift Store for many years.

Her hobbies included gardening, camping, cooking, fishing, family, knitting/crocheting, and sewing quilts for her kids, grandkids, and most great-grandkids.  

Betty is survived by her six children, Karen Rugg(John) of Lewiston, Idaho, Karla Ankrum(Dave) of Athol, Idaho, Debra Shepherd(Larry) of Post Falls, Idaho, Wally Cossairt(Sherrie) of Bonners Ferry, Kevin Cossairt(Laresa) of Bonners Ferry and Toby Cossairt(Lisa) of Pasco, Washington, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Memorial gifts may be made to Bonner General Hospice.