Peterson, Bette J.
1/2/1929 - 4/27/2023
Saginaw
Mrs. Bette J. Peterson, of Saginaw, MI, passed away on April 27, 2023, in Ventura, CA, where she had been living with her daughter Margaret. Bette (Elizabeth) Jean Hackett was born to William Hackett and Margaret Logan on January 2, 1929. She was the youngest child of a family of seven brothers and sisters. She graduated from high school from Sacred Heart Academy in Mt. Pleasant, Mi. Bette went on to earn a teaching degree and later a master's degree in Business Education from Central Michigan University.
Bette started her teaching career right after graduating from college, teaching in several different schools throughout Michigan before retiring from Saginaw Township schools. She had many stories about the various clubs and sports that she sponsored in all of these schools. Her proudest accomplishment of her teaching career was facilitating the establishment and operation of a credit union within St. Mary's High School as part of her Business Education curriculum. Catholic Federal Credit Union flourished, and some of her original students continued to work there for 30 plus years in administrative positions. You can be sure they sat up a little straighter at their desks when their former teacher walked through the door.
Bette is survived by daughters: Margaret Peterson M.D. of Ventura, CA; Kathryn Zemanek of St. Augustine, FL; Teresa Baker of Sneads Ferry, NC. She also leaves behind grandchildren: William Lancaster, Jason Smythe, Patrick Smythe, Erin Smythe, Shannon Smythe, Nicholas Smythe, Joshua Baker, Kyle Baker, John Cole Zemanek, Colleen Zemanek, Logan Mondol, Lee Mondol, Maxim Mondol, Rowan, and Blythe TwoSisters. She had a wonderful and loving family that extended to great-grandchildren, as well as nephews and nieces.
Bette was predeceased by her loving husband Amiel "Pete" Wayne Peterson; her daughters: Susan Anderson, Janet Mondol, and Sharon Smythe. Bette was the last survivor of the William and Margaret Hackett family that settled a farm and built a home on W. Remus Rd. in Mt. Pleasant, MI, in 1902. Their legacy is recognized as a Centennial Farm by the State of Michigan.
Funeral services will be held at a later date in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Bette Hackett Peterson will be laid to rest along with her husband and daughters at Calvary Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, MI, close to her Hackett ancestors.
Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at: reardonfuneral.com.

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Published by Saginaw News on MLive.com from May 12 to May 14, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Bette Peterson

Sponsored by The Family.

8 Entries

Kathryn Zemanek

May 6, 2024

Kathryn Zemanek

May 6, 2024

Kathryn Zemanek

May 6, 2024

A year has passed, and our hearts are still so heavy from missing you. We have the memories of a wonderful life spent with you. So blessed to have had you for so long, Mom.

Holly (Jastrzembowski) Budzinski

August 3, 2023

So Very Sorry for your loss!! Mrs Peterson was my Typing and Bookkeeping Teacher at St Mary´s Cathedral High School!! She was a Great Teacher that definitely formed my life with her guidance and challenges!! I hope she knew the Great influence that she was. She has been in my Thoughts for years.....and your Family will be in my Thoughts and Prayers as you are surely missing her!! Prayers and Hugs to you all!! With My Deepest Sympathy!! ~*~Holly (Jastrzembowski) Budzinski~*~

Kathy

May 19, 2023

Here´s how I remember mom. Always happy to see us. Welcoming home the family: children, grandchildren, and dogs. Such a loving home to come back to.

Colleen Elizabeth Zemanek

May 15, 2023

My incredibly loving, immensely faithful, and wildly intelligent grandmother grew the garden of my family, and for that I am forever thankful. When you´re a kid, you´re so wonderfully naive to believe you´ll have your grandparents with you forever-the school events, the birthdays, the holidays, the "just because" road trips and vacations, the graduations-those endless summers spent with my grandparents hold some of the most precious memories of my childhood. My grandmother´s love was so pure, so real, so true. I believed she loved me because her adoration for me was so evident, I could feel it. She expressed pride for her family, especially her grandchildren, all the time. A cheerleader for my educational endeavors, as well as my initial career path as a fellow educator as well. Though, her shoes in that capacity can never be filled. That is why I am so fortunate to share my name, Elizabeth, with her! And so, the garden of my family my grandmother began will continue to grow and flourish as a constant reminder that her love is always in bloom. I love you grandma!

Colleen Zemanek

May 14, 2023

My incredibly loving, immensely faithful, and wildly intelligent grandmother grew the garden of my family, and for that I am forever thankful. When you´re a kid, you´re so wonderfully naive to believe you´ll have your grandparents with you forever-the school events, the birthdays, the holidays, the "just because" road trips and vacations, the graduations-those endless summers spent with my grandparents hold some of the most precious memories of my childhood. My grandmother´s love was so pure, so real, so true. I believed she loved me because her adoration for me was so evident, I could feel it. She expressed pride for her family, especially her grandchildren, all the time. A cheerleader for my educational endeavors, as well as my initial career path as a fellow educator as well. Though, her shoes in that capacity can never be filled. That is why I am so fortunate to share my name, Elizabeth, with her! And so, the garden of my family my grandmother began will continue to grow, and the seeds of love will flourish as a reminder that her love is always in bloom. I love you grandma!

Kathryn Zemanek

May 14, 2023

On this Mother´s Day I remember you Mom. The heart of our family on earth, and now in heaven.

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