KESSEL
Elizabeth June Maki Kessel, of Spokane died Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane, she was 86.

Betty was born on June 6, 1927 in the Finnish-American community of Owen, Wisconsin to immigrants Nestori and Maria Liikanen Maki.Betty grew up on a dairy farm and graduated from Owen high school. After high school, Betty attended the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, earning her Bachelors in Home Economics. While working as the county extension agent in Phillips, Wisconsin Betty met the love of her life Robert Kessel. They were married December 23, 1950. Betty earned her masters degree from the University of Idaho and later, her doctoral degree from Washington State University.

Betty and Robert remained in Moscow for over 30 years where Betty taught Home Economics at the U of I until retiring in 1987. They spent their retirement in Las Vegas and later in Texas until Robert's passing in 2010. Betty moved to Spokane in 2012 where she resided at Harbor Crest until her death.

Betty enjoyed many facets of life including playing bridge, gardening cooking sewing, but most of all raising her four children. Betty was fluent in speaking, reading, and writing Finnish until her death. She made several visits to Finland, the last in 2011.

Betty is survived by her children; Fred (Gutch) Kessel of Townsend, MT, Richard
(Nancy) Kessel of Universal City, TX, Mary (David) Thomsen of Winthrop, WA and
Jane Button of Cheney, WA. She is also survived by her ex-son-in-law Ed Button of
Moscow, ID, 7 grandchildren (Rob Kessel, Joe Kessel, Nick Button, Ross Button, Maggie Kessel, William Kessel, and Sam Thomsen) and 3 great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Robert and grand daughter Katie Button.

Visitation will be on Monday, May 26, 2014 from 12-6 p.m. at Short's Funeral Chapel
in Moscow. Funeral services will be on Tuesday May 27, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Short's
Funeral Chapel with Pastor David Daugs presiding. Vault interment will follow at Viola
Cemetery in Viola, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to Shriner's Children Hospital P.O. Box 2472 Spokane, WA 99210 or to any charity of the donor's choice.

Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow has been entrusted with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Antonio Express-News on May 24, 2014.

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Funeral services provided by:

Short's Funeral Chapel

1225 East 6th Street, Moscow, ID 83843

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