Elizabeth A. Arpan Wadsworth
Elizabeth A (Betty) Arpan Wadsworth was born at Cyr on April 21, 1922 to Sarah and Roscoe Petersen, the fifth of thirteen children; and passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 21, 2012. As a child she and her family moved with the Milwaukee railroad and eventually settled near Alberton, where she graduated. On February 8, 1940 Betty married Joseph Arpan in Frenchtown at the Old Catholic parsonage. After forty-three years of marriage, Joe died of a sudden heart attack on April 1, 1983. Betty then began attending Superior Community Church where she became acquainted with Richard Wadsworth, a local bachelor. When she expressed an interest in learning to fish (Dick’s favorite pastime) he took the hint and asked her to be his wife. After a short courtship the couple married December 27, 1987 and have enjoyed nearly 25 years of love and companionship.
Survivors include Richard at the family home; Dorothy (Dale) Brown, Weippe, Idaho; Audrey (David) Langenheim, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Peggy (Doyle) Prince, Nampa, Idaho; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-great grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Audrey Peden, Superior, Delores (John) Lehman, Frenchtown; Joe Petersen, Alberton; and Ray (Donna) Petersen, Haugan; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brother’s Lewis, Bill, Roscoe, Jim, and Frank; and sisters Gretta, Noni, and Mary; and her parents Sarah and Roscoe. Also surviving are her church brothers and sisters as well as Pastor Gray Repke, his wife Katie and their sons Michael and David.
Betty worked with Tom and Marge Castles at the market for over 30 years. When the new store was built at its present location, Joe and Betty were partners in the downstairs Westgate Superior business. She and Dick spent many winters in Arizona and Texas where he taught her a true love for fishing and a life she never knew existed. Throughout these last year’s Dick and Betty enjoyed Bible study weekly at their home, and participants enjoyed the joy of Betty’s cookies and other favors. Betty also prepared jams, jellies, and cookies for Bible Camp. She will be greatly missed by all who know her and who are close to her heart.
A memorial celebration of Betty’s life will be held Saturday, September 29, 2012 at Superior Community Church. The service will be at 3:00 PM with a potluck dinner to follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Betty’s name to the Charity of donor’s choice, or to Women in Timber, 2117 Moats Lane, Superior, Montana 59872. Sunset Hills Funeral Home in Plains are handling the arrangements.