Betty Jo P. Speakman

Betty Jo Speakman Betty Jo Petersen Speakman died of cancer Monday, December 1, 2008 in Saratoga Springs, Utah at the age of 81. Betty was born on Thanksgiving day; November 24, 1927 in Pinedale, Arizona, the second of six children born to Thelma Webb and Raymond Niels Petersen. Betty attended Brigham Young University. She was the secretary to the president of Geneva steel. She was active in the BYU genealogical society and fell in love with its chairman; William Daniel (Dan) Speakman. Betty and Dan were married in the Mesa, Arizona temple on March 23, 1953. They lived in Arizona for the greater part of their lives; they lived in Missouri for several years and eventually retired to Fillmore, Utah. Dan passed away in 2005. Betty’s passion was writing, especially about her forbearers. Her related passion was all aspects of family history work. In addition to serving in various capacities in the church including Relief Society President, Betty and Dan served three missions for the LDS church which were a culmination of a lifetime of service. They served in Nauvoo, Oregon, and the Mission Training Center. Betty loved music, singing, dancing, traveling to new places, family gatherings, and especially loved the new little grandbabies. Betty leaves behind a legacy of loyalty and devotion to her Savior Jesus Christ, her family, and cherished friends that she has gathered along the pathway of her life. They had six children; Janet, Raymond Daniel, Joan, David (passed away 2006), Lori Jo, and Marti Anne, 43 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers Clieburn Petersen of Mesa, AZ: Charles Petersen of Gilbert, Arizona, sisters Doris Rainer of Mesa, AZ; Ruth Dipple of Stephensville, Texas. She is preceded in death by her brother Boyd Petersen. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Pioneer Ward Chapel, 6660 South 1775 East, South Weber. Friends may call at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd., on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday at the Ward Chapel from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Graveside service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Fillmore, Utah Cemetery. Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com