Betty Julia Salmons Lusk

Betty Julia Salmons Lusk passed away on Oct 31, 2014. She was born on February 9, 1935 in Princess Anne County, Virginia. She was the only child of Guy Morris and Adeline Salesky Salmons. Betty grew up with many cousins and friends in rural Virginia. She loved the beach and walking barefoot in the sand. She had no plans to leave Virginia until her cousin arranged a blind date with a young Naval Aviator from Idaho who was stationed on an aircraft carrier out of Norfolk, Va: Robert Roy Lusk. Bob and Betty were married on August 20, 1955. She left her life in the south and started an adventure as a new bride in the northwest. She attended WSU while Bob finished his degree in Forestry in 1957 and then moved into the wilderness at Kelly Creek Ranger Station on the Clearwater National Forest of Idaho. The country was so remote that they lived at Kelly Creek in the summer and moved into a motel in Orofino when the roads got snowed under in the winter. There was no electricity or indoor plumbing, but Betty took to her new life with gusto. She loved the mighty mountains and clear flowing water. Bob’s job with the US Forest Service required moves to more remote and beautiful places: Bungalow Ranger Station, also on the Clearwater and Sula, Montana. In those years, they welcomed 4 children. Betty often said that she had kids to play with to make up for being an only child. And in the next moves to Cottonwood, Idaho and Libby, Montana the young family played in the great outdoors: skiing, hiking, camping, and swimming. In later years they moved to Lufkin Texas, Cleveland Tennessee, and to Placerville California. Every move brought a new adventure for Betty. She never knew a stranger, could never say no, made friends wherever she went, and volunteered in many activities; Girl Scouts, gardening, UMYF, Sunday school, senior centers, YMCA, exercise classes for seniors, and Red Cross swimming lessons where 1,000 kids were taught to swim in the summers. While living in Tennessee, Betty was recognized for her tremendous community involvement with the DIANA Award for Woman of the Year. In Placerville, Betty volunteered at the Snowline Hospice and ended her tenure there as the Executive Director. She went back to school at Sacramento State University to finish her degree in Sociology. She graduated in May of 1981, just in time to start her next big adventure, life with her grandchildren. The last move Betty made was to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. They chose to retire in the beautiful area where they started their lives together. She and Bob built a house on the lake that welcomed 11 grandchildren to the magical “Camp Grandma.” (It was here they became known as Wawee and Bobby). She once again made great friends, volunteered in the community and her church, made trips all over the country in their RV, played bridge, joined the 3Cs Book Club, Happy Family of Mica Flats Grange, gardened, and attended as many of her grand kid’s activities as she could. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and a grandchild, Jedidiah Lusk. She leaves behind to celebrate her life, her husband of 59 years, Bob; sons: Rick Lusk, Baker City, Oregon, Scott (Cynthia) Lusk, Cromberg, California, daughters: Linda (Rich) Williams, Hayden, Idaho, and Julie (Tim) Chavis, Newport, Washington, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. From Virginia to Idaho “was a long way, but the miles were good ones and filled with much joy and happiness. From dogwood and honeysuckle to Indian paintbrush and bear grass.” A memorial service for Betty will be held on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 2:00 pm at Community United Methodist Church in Coeur D’Alene. A reception will follow in the church.