Obituary of Betty Kisor

Betty Lou Dilley Kisor Mom created a world around our family where joys, fears, accomplishments and burdens could be shared by all. A child of the Great Depression she started work as a nursing assistant at age 9 in Huron, South Dakota. Jitterbugging her way through high school, she met Ken Dilley as he returned from WW II Army service. They married and had four children. Tragically Ken died in a train wreck in downtown Olympia in 1959. She worked as a telephone operator. Betty married Jack Kisor in 1961. They successfully developed Ordel Oil Co. in Olympia while raising their families. She managed to find time to be a Girl Scout leader, hike and go on fishing trips with her man. A year after they sold the company Jack died of a heart attack at 54 while hunting. Betty started a fireplace shop with her son Jeff and managed her real estate holdings. She married Frank Peterson. They shared their love of extended family gatherings, dancing, camping, traveling and telling a good story for 25 years before Frank died two years ago. She worked on her rentals to the bitter end and never passed up a garage sale. She has 27 adoring grandchildren and over two dozen great-grandchildren. Independence, hard work and charity combined with her love of family and appreciation of the wonders of our world were the hallmarks of her life. She will be immensely missed. A memorial service will begin at 1:00 pm Sunday, October 18, 2009 at the South Sound Manor, 455 North Street SE, Tumwater. Memorial donations may be made in Betty’s name to Habitat for Humanity or South Puget Sound Community College. Please leave condolences online by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.