Obituary - Betty Jean Sanford

Betty Jean Sanford of Casper, Wyoming, loving wife, mother and grandmother, joined the Lord June 19, 2017. 

She passed peacefully at home surrounded by family. 

Betty was born Feb. 2, 1932 to James and Elizabeth (Heffer) Dunbar in a log house on their family ranch in the Bear Paw Mountains south of Chinook, Montana. She attended People's Creek School through eighth grade, then moved to Chinook to attend high school, graduating in 1949. Her career began at Havre High School serving as a secretary to the principal and superintendent and at Blaine County National Bank in Chinook. During this time, she met the love of her life, Albert Sanford. They were married Sept. 4, 1955, and were blessed with four children - a son Robert, twin daughters, Kathy and Karen, and son Mark. 

The Sanford's moved with Al's career throughout Montana, living in Chinook, Cut Bank and Roundup; settling in Casper, Wyoming in 1972. 

Betty enjoyed time at home raising the family. They passionately supported their children and grandchildren in their endeavors. She truly loved people, opening her heart and home to all.  Betty was a member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the Black Sheep Square Dance Club, Mended Hearts and Natrona County Republican Women. She worked at Pyramid Insurance, Wyoming National Bank and Production Credit Association. Upon retirement, they spent 24 winters in Arizona also spending a great deal of their time visiting their children, grandchildren, family and friends.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents; son Robert; and her siblings, Rosella, Margaret (Wright), Joseph, George, James, Helen (Bley) and Dorothy (Ehlang). 

She is survived by her husband, Albert; daughter, Kathy (Pat) Thomas; daughter, Karen (Dan) Gall; son, Mark (Heather) Sanford; and daughter-in-law, Suzee Sanford; grandchildren, Tyler, Ian and Elizabeth Sanford, Katelynn (Andy) Dugan, Karalee and Craig Thomas, Carter and Hayden Gall and Grace, Torrey and Bennett Sanford; and great-granddaughter, Parker Ann Sanford. Betty is also survived by sisters-in-law Leona Gilmore and Judy Dunbar and brother-in-law Leonard Ehlang as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 23, 2017, at 4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Casper, Wyoming. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until time of service. Burial will take place at the Alice Nash Memorial Cemetery, south of Chinook, Montana, at 1 p.m. Monday, June 26, 2017; preceded by a viewing at 10:30 a.m. and a reception at 11 a.m. at the Chinook Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the caring staff at Life Care Center of Casper. 

Bustard's Funeral Home and Edward's Funeral Home are assisting the family.