Betty Baerman died of congestive heart failure October 2, 2010, in Everett, WA, while staying with her daughter, Karen McCann. Betty was born June 6, 1930, in Webster, WI to Walter and Cristina Kleckner. She spent her early years on the family farm, working beside her parents and three siblings. The year 1942 meant a move for the family to Seattle, where work was plentiful. Betty worked after school, mostly leading small children on ponies at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. After graduation from Lincoln High School, she married Dick Baerman and became a 'spit & polish' homemaker and a terrific bowler. In 1962, on the day of the Seattle World's Fair opening, the Baermans moved to Peshastin, WA and purchased property on Blewett Pass. There, they ran a successful campground and trailer park. They were active in the Cascade Mountain Men muzzle loaders club, Betty being an excellent shot with a handgun. Preparing for a match, Betty would see how long she could hold a full bottle of beer straight out, keeping her arm steady. A new challenge was organizing and running Dick's annual Northwest Territorial Art Show each August for many years. In 1969, she began a 25 year career in the apple packing industry, working hard in several warehouses, but enjoying the friendships she made. No matter how long her workdays, Betty always ironed, cooked from scratch, baked pies every week and made sure the house was spotless. In 2000, Betty and Dick moved to Livingston, MT to be closer to Karen and her family. Betty loved Livingston and the wind, which reminded her of her childhood winters in Wisconsin. She had just moved to Everett to help Karen with her cancer treatments, marveling that she was "ending up where I started from."

She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings; her husband, Dick; and daughter, Dawn Baerman Palmquist. Betty leaves behind her daughter, Karen McCann of Everett, WA, Steve McCann and grandchildren, Lauren and Sant McCann, all of Livingston, and Army Sgt. Christina McCann, currently serving in Iraq.

Per her wishes, she has been cremated and No Services are planned. Her ashes will be scattered to the four winds on a stormy day along the Oregon coast, while I sing "In the Garden," which she made me promise to do.