Hazel D. Peters, 85, formerly of Libby

Hazel “Doris” Peters, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013.

Doris was the 13th of 14 children born to Jacob and Mary Smouse in Farmington, N.M., on Aug. 18, 1928.

She married the love of her life, Clyde “Pete” Peters, on Feb. 24, 1950.  

They moved around until finally settling down in Seattle, Wash., in 1961, where they raised their family.

In 1970, they embarked on a new adventure and moved to Elfin Cove, Alaska, where they commercially fished for the next 10 years.  They retired and moved to Libby in 1984.

Doris loved gardening and spent as much time as possible outdoors tending to her beautiful flower and large vegetable gardens. She was also very proud to belong to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Libby and spent many hours donating her time and energy helping out whenever they needed her. She moved to Bozeman in 2011 to be closer to her two daughters.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, 10 brothers, three sisters, her beloved husband, Pete, and beautiful daughter, Luana K. Wortman.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Gary) Hannan of Livingston; daughter, Jo (Dennis) Sheridan of Bozeman; step-son, William (Nancy) Peters of Richland, Wash.; also by 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Doris was a loving, beautiful person who will be missed by everyone who knew her.

A memorial service will be planned to honor Doris in Libby at a later date.