Crawford, Elizabeth J. Petersen

Elizabeth J. Petersen Crawford

Elizabeth J. Crawford, 85, died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013, at Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center in West Branch after a long illness. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Henderson Barker Funeral Home in West Branch, with cremation following. Burial will be at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City.

Elizabeth (Betty Jo) Josephine Petersen was born Sept. 3, 1927, in Anthon, Iowa, to Walter and Mary Petersen. She graduated from Moville High School and worked for Western Union for a short time after high school. Betty married Albert H. Petersen on July 2, 1948, and soon became a full-time mother and housewife. After Albert's death she married Howard E Crawford on Aug 17, 1968.

Betty lived most of her adult life in Sioux City, moving to West Branch in 2006 after Howard's death. She has spread much joy with her special crocheted gifts that she enjoyed making for her family and friends, as well as a special doctor, who provided her with excellent care through some of the hardest times of her life. She was very giving, often thinking of others as she donated crafts and supplies to Crestview Nursing and Rehab Center, and her beautiful, long, red hair to Locks of Love on two different occasions.

Survivors include her eight children, 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren: son, Darwin L. Petersen of Sacramento, Calif., grandson, Billy Petersen, granddaughter, Kim (Robert) Burdekin, and great-granddaughters, Makalya and Makenzee Burdekin, all of California; son, Jerry (Mildred) Petersen of Honduras, grandson, Jesse (Kristin) Petersen of Tampa, Fla., daughter, Terry (Howard) Moss of West Branch, grandson, Timothy (Casandra) Moss of West Branch, great-grandsons, Alex and Albert Moss of West Branch; daughter, Sandra Downs of Sioux City, granddaughter, Tahirah Crawford of Sioux Falls, S.D., grandson, Cicero (Rosa) Downs of Sioux City, great-granddaughter, Vessie Downs, and great-grandson, Henry Downs of Sioux City; daughter, Mary Crawford of Ramona, Calif., grandson, KC (Van) Crawford of Clairmont, Calif., great-grandson, Cameron Crawford of Clairmont, Calif., grandson, TJ Crawford of Honolulu, Hawaii, grandson, JD Crawford of Ramona, Calif.; son, David Crawford of Sioux City; daughter, Jo Petersen (Robert Wilson) of Julian, Calif., granddaughter, Tawnya Braaten of Ramona, Calif., great-grandson, Ryan Williams, great-granddaughters, Kendra and Jordan Williams, all of Ramona, Calif., grandson, Matthew Braaten, and great-grandson, Dannon Braaten, both of Ramona, Calif.; daughter, Julie (Shelly Bacon) Rodgers of Sioux City, grandson, Dana Crawford of Sioux City; and many cousins and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by two husbands, Albert Petersen and Howard Crawford; her parents, Walter and Mary Petersen; her brothers, William, Robert, Darold, Donald and Richard Petersen; her sisters, Mildred and Dorothy Petersen, and a baby sibling; as well as her granddaughter, Rachel Petersen (Jerry and Mildred); and her son-in-law, Henry Downs.

Betty will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Her family will be forever indebted to the compassionate staff at Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for all their loving, tender care during the last years of her life.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 451 W. Orange St., West Branch, IA 52358.

Published Jan. 21, 2013 in The Gazette