BettyJo Zachmeier-Peet

Surrounded by her family, BettyJo Zachmeier-Peet, 85, Mandan, passed peacefully into the arms of God at her home on Friday evening, September 27, 2019.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 11, 2019 at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, ND.  Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 10, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary and Parish Vigil at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

BettyJo was born on January 3, 1934, in Langdon, North Dakota, to Victor and Elenore (Heldt) Hanggi.  She went to school during her early years near the farm, but later boarded in town to attend Munich High School, graduating as valedictorian after three years. An avid reader and book lover, BettyJo earned an accounting degree from Dakota Business College in Fargo. She then worked as an accountant for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department in Bismarck, where one of her pilot coworkers taught her to fly. She co-owned a small airplane and loved to take to the air whenever possible. She met her husband, Bill, at the roller rink in Bismarck. They were married June 2, 1956, in Bismarck, but built their home north of Mandan. In addition to raising six children, BettyJo worked as a librarian at Mandan Senior High School and was a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, treasurer for the Kiwanis, a member of the Homemakers Club, and bookkeeper for Bill’s trucking business.  She returned to work for the State of North Dakota for several years once the kids were on their own.

After Bill’s passing in 1996, BettyJo spent much of her time travelling and playing cards with friends.  She married Roger B. Peet on June 17, 2007, in Granby, Colorado. BettyJo and Roger attended many local events and enjoyed their senior years together, playing pinochle and travelling to fulfill their love of adventure. They spent time annually with friends in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  BettyJo lost Roger in 2015.

She is loved and survived by five of her children: Mike (Carla) Zachmeier, Rapid City, SD; Bob (Camille) Zachmeier, Tucson, AZ; Becky (Craig Ayler) Zachmeier, Denver, CO; Kathy (Jerry) Hotakainen, Lino Lakes, MN; Kelley (Don) Franklund, Bismarck; and son-in-law Rob Ruh, Lakeville, MN; her step-children: Roger M. (Rita) Peet, Bismarck, Terry (Jerry) Peterson, Omaha, NE; and Sharon Anderson, Whitehall, MT; 12 grandchildren and their families: Billy Zachmeier, Sarah Clare (Kyle) Leal, Katrina (Dane) Hammer, Tyler Zachmeier-Kean, Ellie Franklund, Tori (Benjamin) Domask-Ruh, Will Franklund, Micaela Zachmeier, Tia Ruh, Eric Hotakainen, Rachel Hotakainen, and Luke Zachmeier; two great-granddaughters, Mia Leal and Esme Hammer; four step-grandchildren and their families; in addition to her siblings, Janis (Frank) Papscun and Bob Hanggi; plus many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends that she considered her extended family. BettyJo was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, and her beloved daughter Marcy Zachmeier-Ruh.

Please go to the Tribute Wall to sign the guestbook and share memories with her family.