[br][br]Betty Ann Zurenko passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 30th. She is survived by her sister Marilyn Thompson (Gene) of San Angelo, Texas, her loving and caring husband John Zurenko of Spokane and her two daughters Connie Wais (Greg), Issaquah, WA and Stephanie Zurenko, Lacey, WA and four grandchildren, Morgan Wais (Lindsay), Hayley Mathis (John), Casey Morehead, and Riley Morehead, and five great grandchildren Nolan, Paisley, Torin, Maxwell, and Ayla. Betty was preceded in death by her dear brother Tom (Chester) Beaston,and her parents, Chester and Mary (Short) Beaston.
Betty was born in 1934 in Durango, Colorado and graduated from Durango High School. She spent her youth on her parent's cattle ranch on the LaPlata mesa becoming an accomplished horsewomen and achieving the title of Durango Rodeo Queen. She was also active in 4H where, among other achievements, she raised and showed a Colorado Grand Champion Hereford steer. After high school Betty attended Fort Lewis College living on the early campus in Hesperus, Colorado.
Betty began her career as an administrator working at Fort Lewis College then Montana State University, in Bozeman, Montana where John worked toward his advanced degrees. After receiving his PhD, the family moved to Cheney, WA where John accepted a teaching position at Eastern Washington University in the winter of 1968. Following their relocation to Cheney, Betty worked for EWU, and the Cheney School District. Culminating her career, Betty advanced into the position of Manager of the Cheney Employees Credit Union. During her twenty year tenure as manager, Betty oversaw many additions to services offered to members as well as improvements in facilities, including a new building which the credit union still occupies today.
Betty was an avid animal lover and especially enjoyed her feline children. In addition to her own pets, over the years she fed and cared for many stray cats (and an occasional skunk family) that were always abundant in Cheney. Betty retired in 1995 at which time she and John moved to their home on Latah Creek in Spokane. There, she took great pleasure in watching the abundant wildlife that frequent the creek-side behind their home. Supporting animals and their habitat through membership in the Audubon Society, the Sierra Club, and the National Geographic Foundation, in addition to animal rescue services, were important to Betty. She was an avid reader, enjoyed exercise and travel. During her time on this earth she asked for so little and gave so much.
She and John became members of the St. John's Lutheran Church on Meadowlane Road where memorial services will be held Saturday, July 25th at 11 am. The family has plans to inter her ashes at the family burial plot in Durango later in the summer, at which time a memorial service will be held for her family and friends that remain in Durango. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Spokanimal PO Box 3151 Spokane, WA 99220.