Independent Enterprise
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Betty Ann Soule died at her son’s home on November 25, 2007 outside Caldwell, Idaho. A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, November 30, 2007 at the Payette Seventh-day Adventist Church. A private inurnment will be at Parkview Cemetery in New Plymouth where her parents and in-laws rest. Friends may call on Thursday, November 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com.
Betty Ann Howerton was born November 26, 1933 at Klamath Falls, Oregon, to Jesse Jackson "Jack" and Lena "Violet" McDow Howerton. They moved to Union, Ore., when she was very young. They moved to Spokane, Washington, during World War II where she attended West Valley High School. She obtained a nursing degree at Walla Walla College in College Place, Washington
While at Walla Walla, Betty was introduced to Milton Forest Soule, Jr. from Portland, Oregon. They married in Spokane on June 23, 1957. Over the next nine years, three children joined their family, a daughter, Robin, a son, Terry and their youngest, Kim. The family lived in several locations throughout Oregon and Washington before settling down in Idaho. They spent the last 27 years at their little blue house in Payette with Betty’s collection of iris and flower beds.
Betty was always looking for ways to improve the health and welfare of those around her. She received a Master’s of Public Health from Loma Linda University. Betty worked for Southwest District Health Department in Payette as well as offices in Weiser, Council, Cambridge and Caldwell. She helped start Treasure Valley Community College’s nursing program in 1980. She became director of Malheur County Health Department in 1985. While at Malheur County, she helped develop a prenatal education and care program that linked the Health Department, Holy Rosary Hospital and local physicians. The State of Oregon cited the Malheur County Health Department as a case study on how to develop community programs. Betty returned to the Payette Health Department in 1994 and retired in 1999.
Betty relaxed only a little after retiring with gardening, Toast Masters and writing a book about her mother’s life keeping her busy. She and Milton took several trips to Alaska including driving up the Alcan Highway. Her grandchildren from Alaska visited frequently. She also continued to work for the home health agency Care At Home as a nurse and mentor. She became passionately involved in disaster relief programs across the northwest. She traveled extensively to train community service volunteers throughout Idaho and eastern Oregon. Some of those she trained used their skills to help with disaster relief after Hurricane Katrina.
Betty was diagnosed with advanced melanoma in February of 2007. She and Milton moved in with their son, Terry and his family on October 16, 2007. Betty began receiving hospice care from XL Hospice on October 31, 2007. Hospice greatly simplified and eased her final weeks with care and support. Her last trip out of the house was to attend a Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster meeting on November 13, 2007. Betty spent her last weeks surrounded by friends and family. She died in her sleep on November 25, 2007 one day before her 74th birthday.
Betty is survived by her husband of fifty years, Milton; daughter, Robin Brown and son-in-law, Ron of Nampa; son, Terry Soule and daughter-in-law, Shelley-jeane of Caldwell; their youngest, Kim Soule and daughter-in-law, Laurie Lynn of Fairbanks, Alaska; and nine grandchildren, Jessie, Cody, Clancy, Colt, Ettiene, Emerson, Justice, Macke and Jericho; as well as fur babies Fonzie and Fiddle.