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.
Arrangements in Ventura, CA were handled by Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family on their website: reardonfuneral.com.