Betty Lee Rogers, 85

Betty Lee Rogers was born on May 15, 1940, in Albert Lea, Minnesota, to Claude and Caroline Hinds. She attended a country school near their farm in Worth County, Iowa, through the eighth grade and graduated from Northwood High School in 1958. After earning a bachelor's degree in home economics from Iowa State University in 1961, she then began work as a county home economist.

On April 20,1963, Betty married her high school sweetheart, Harry Rogers. They lived in Spirit Lake, Iowa, before moving to Nebraska, where they were educators in Lewellen.

Together, Harry and Betty went on to pursue masters degrees in education at Oregon State University. After their graduation in 1972, they returned to Nebraska to teach for several years in Big Springs, Stratton, and Valentine, while both dreaming of a move to Alaska.

In 1982, they moved to Petersburg, Alaska. Harry was named superintendent of the Petersburg school system and Betty worked at Petersburg Insurance.

In 1987, when they moved to Valdez, Alaska, Betty resumed her educational career, teaching GED/ADE classes and working as the assistant to the president of Valdez Community College.

After retiring in 1999, Harry and Betty returned to Petersburg to build their dream home on the Wrangell Narrows. They loved to share the thrill of fishing in Frederick Sound while hosting many summer visitors. Both adventurers, their shared travels included hunting and fishing trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Spain, Mongolia, and Vanuatu.

As a member of Petersburg Lutheran Church, Bettty was known for her humble servant's heart, never seeking attention for herself in her many acts of kindness. Her cooking skills and generosity were characteristics of her service to many people throughout the community. When Betty arrived with a pot of halibut chowder, word spread quickly to an appreciative crowd.

When Betty wasn't cooking, she would often be found at her sewing machine. She was an accomplished seamstress able to craft everything from intricate suits to quilts and festive, colorful table runners. She even took on the challenge of sewing her own wedding gown and a few years later, the gown for her sister-in-law.

Betty died on Oct. 20, 2025. She is survived by her husband, Harry; sister, Shirley (Neil) Cooper of Los Angeles; sister-in-law Judy (Sam) Duvall; and several nieces and nephews.