Elizabeth Ann Callahan

Elizabeth Anne (Betty) was born at Greely, Nebraska June 22, 1933, the youngest of ten children to Leo Lewis and Lillian Josephine Kersch Zahm. She died May 7, 2025, age 91, at Moses Lake, Washington and has now reunited with her beloved husband, Art, and her parents whom she has yearned to be with.
When Betty was three-to-four years old the Zahm family moved to New Plymouth, Idaho. The large family had no money so picked fruit at orchards along the way to pay for gas. Once in New Plymouth, her father raised hogs and made wine to sell.
Betty went through school in New Plymouth and became good friends with Callahan sisters. When their brother, John Arthur (Art) Callahan, finished his mission to Fruita, Colorado for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they introduced him to her. It didn't take long for this Catholic girl and "Mormon" boy to fall in love. She was baptized a member of his church and they were married February 13, 1953 in Idaho, then sealed to each other in the Salt Lake City Temple a year later.
While pregnant with her first child, Elizabeth and Art moved to Moses Lake, Washington because land was cheap and the Grand Coulee Dam had been built which would bring lots of irrigation to the desert ground. So they bought a farm at Block 42 and went to church in the old High School building in Warden.
Elizabeth gave birth to five sons, John Arthur Jr., William Andrew, Gary Lynn, Patrick Timothy, and Matthew Zahm, and two daughters, Betty Ann and Melissa Jane, and after they were all raised and on their own, had a second family with an adopted grandson, Patrick, whom they enjoyed raising as an only child. She also helped raise several grandchildren. Two of her own children required extra attention because of unfortunate conditions. Gary was run over by a vehicle when a year old and when pregnant with Matthew she had to have her gall bladder removed which caused the baby to be positioned in such a way that he was born with club feet.
In 1962 Betty became a worker at Pronto, a potato plant, later known as Simplot. Within three weeks she was made a supervisor over a crew of women. This was a major accomplishment for Betty because she was naturally introverted and didn't like to draw attention to herself, but she knew how to work hard and treat people fairly so ran a tip top crew that had great respect for her.
After Simplot she became General Manager over seven Kentucky Fried Chicken stores where her husband supported her as mechanic and right-hand-man. Once retired from working, she decided she wasn't ready to slow down so went back to Simplot for a few more years. She once said that she worked so her kids could have nice clothing and the school supplies needed, and to provide insurance for them.
Betty always supported her farmer husband. She packed lunches and took them out to him in the field. She drove sugar beet and potato trucks, tractors and any other machinery on the farm. She ran parts, changed siphon tubes, and worked alongside her husband whenever and however she could.
She was an awesome cook and great baker. There was always a cow to provide milk, butter and cottage cheese. Her butter was sold to help with family expenses. There was always a big vegetable garden and fruit trees where Betty would can everything possible so the family would have good, healthy food. She had an apple press where she made fresh apple juice. She and Art butchered their own chickens, pigs, and beef. They had a huge lawn that was plush and green. Art nurtured a big rose garden which gave him great joy to give his wife and any females who visited fresh-cut roses and Betty loved to mow the yard on the riding lawn mower.
Betty was known for her beautiful black hair that was never dyed. She was a big Mariners and Seahawks fan from the time the teams were formed and even as her dementia was progressing, she still loved to watch them play.
She loved being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She didn't hold callings because of her shyness but one time she acquiesced to giving a short talk in church but was so mortified by doing so that she never agreed to do it again. She dearly loved her family and would do anything for them. This included her brothers and sisters. She and her husband had a rare bond where they were two minds melded together. They did everything together. They watched the same TV programs and loved reading books with each other, especially church books. She read to her children when they were growing up as well.
Betty lived the past eight years in a family care home. She had only been in the last home since December 2024, but it was such a caring environment that Betty was able to pass away in peace and comfort. She left this frail existence with her son, John, holding her hands and expressing love to her, crossing the veil to be greeted by her beloved husband, parents, and other relatives rejoicing in her arrival.