Betty Marie (Allen) Fields

Betty Marie (Allen) Fields passed away peacefully, with her husband by her side, on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, in Wilbur, Washington. Betty was born on March 17, 1932, in Ogden, Utah, to Lillis and Leon Ross Allen. She was baptized and confirmed on March 2, 1941, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ogden, Utah. Like many other families in the Grand Coulee area, Betty's family moved here in the 1940s so that her father could go to work on the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. They made their home in Lone Pine; Betty attended school nearby at Elmerton Elementary in Elmer City, Washington. She later attended Mason City School, which changed to Coulee Dam School. Betty treasured her time as a child with her grandfather, Walter, and the many bowls of ice cream they shared. Betty enjoyed various activities in school; she was a proud Coulee Dam Beavers cheerleader, played the bass drum in marching band, and excelled in her schoolwork. Outside of school, she worked as a soda jerk, was a newspaper girl, was an usher at the local theater and also served as a lifeguard.

Betty began dating the love of her life, William Eugene "Gene" Fields in 1949. They were married her senior year, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on March 10, 1950. Betty graduated from Coulee Dam High School in 1950. Gene and Betty welcomed three boys into the world over the next few years: Gene Lea, Edward Raymond and Robert Allen Fields. Feeling as though their family wasn't quite complete, Betty and Gene adopted a little girl, Sara Ann Fields, in August of 1964.

Betty was a mother and wife, first and foremost. She worked several part-time jobs throughout her life. She continued to work as a lifeguard at the local beach. She also worked as a telephone operator, repeating through the day, "Number please?" In her spare time, she enjoyed making wedding cakes, sewing quilts and stuffed animals, and painting artwork. Their family moved around a bit for Gene's work, but stayed strongly rooted in the Grand Coulee area, where she and Gene eventually retired. They were blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with whom she spent as much time as possible. Betty was truly an incredible woman and will be deeply missed by those whose lives she touched.

Betty was predeceased by her parents, and two brothers: Walter and Eugene. She is survived by her husband, Gene, and her four children: Gene Fields, Ed Fields, Rob Fields (Nina), and Sara Himebauch (Dan), as well as her nine grandchildren: Chris Fields, Jennifer Schwartz (Mike), Shawn Helgerson (Jessica), Aubrey Bammer, Jillian Coffey (Richie),  Stormy Bailey (Isaac), Clayton Fields, Ashley Fields, and Lucus Fields. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Betty was held Saturday, January 20, 2018, officiated by Pastor Clifford Bresee. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee was honored to serve her family. Please sign her online register at stratefuneralhome.com.