Betty M. Tibbs , formerly of Bowbells, North Dakota, died at her home with her family, in Hayden, Idaho on April 12, 2010.

Betty was born July 7, 1921, in Devils Lake, North Dakota. At age 2, Betty's mother died, and she was welcomed into the home of her mother's twin sister, Edla, and husband Clyde Bohn, of Bowbells, North Dakota. She was the love of their lives, and they were the only parents she ever knew.

Betty was educated in Bowbells, North Dakota and Shelby, Montana. She went to Minot State Teachers's College, and received a teaching certificate in 1941. She eventually finished her education at the University of Montana in Missoula, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Education. While at MSTC, she met her husband, James M. Tibbs. They were married March 13, 1943 in Lubbock Texas, where Jim was finishing pilot training in the Army Air Corps. After the war, they returned to Minot to finish Jim's schooling. They lived and taught school in Garrison, N.D., Missoula, Montana, and Fairfax, Virginia. She was a distinguished and honored educator, and touched many student's lives. They returned to Minot upon retirement in 1980, summering in Minot, and wintering in Mesa, Arizona. In 2004, they moved from Minot to Hayden, Idaho to be close to family.

Her loving family includes: husband, James M. Tibbs, of Hayden, Idaho; son, James H. Tibbs (Leslie), of Hayden, Idaho; granddaughters, Nicole C. Sawicki (David) Hayden, Idaho and Jennifer I. Ryan (Eric) of Sandpoint, Idaho and great grandchildren Michaela, Jake, and Jade. Nephews are Tom Elliott and Darry Elliott of Spokane, Washington, and Jack Elliott of Colleville, California.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents: Clyde and Edla Bohn, sister, Vivian Peterson, brothers Howard, Harlow and Rollie Elliott, and nephews Kevin and Bob Elliott.

Funeral Service: Friday, April 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Thursday, April 22, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, Idaho, 83835