Betty Wagner LAUREL - Betty Wagner passed away Saturday morning, June 23, 2007, at the age of 76 in her home with her family. Betty was born April 9, 1931, in Laurel, the daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Frank) Cook. Betty lived in Laurel at 921 Fourth Avenue. Betty came from a large and loving family with seven brothers and six sisters who have preceded her in death. They are Sarah Cook (Behm), Rose Cook (Keierleber), Rachel Cook (Fossum), Jacob Cook, Mary Cook (Geohring), Benjamin Cook, Elizabeth Cook (Reichert), Adolph Cook, Henry Cook, John Cook, Conrad Cook, Gilbert Cook, next came Betty, and then the youngest daughter, Clara Cook (Southworth). Betty was the second-to-the-youngest child of Jacob and Catherine. Her parents farmed in the Laurel-Billings area and raised grain, hay and sugar beets. Betty's first job was working briefly at the Billings Laundry as a young lady. She married Timothy M. Wagner on Aug. 20, 1949. Betty and Tim lived in Laurel their entire married life. They would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in August of this year. Betty was a sweet, gentle lady who possessed a deep inner strength that was amazing to all. Her family meant everything to her, which she displayed through generosity and kindness. She was a hard worker with enormous energy, and her family always said there wasn't anything that she couldn't do. She even helped to harvest sugar beets on the old- time beet diggers. Her many talents included baking, cooking, sewing, flower gardening, fishing, quilting, crocheting, knitting, arts and crafts and home improvements. She was an excellent cook and we will miss her rich and delicious German dishes. She kept her children supplied with delicious and delightful baked goods, and we especially loved her cinnamon twist rolls. Her sisters would get together to socialize, cook and entertain every chance they could. Since there were so many siblings, it was usually an event full of laughter, gaiety and comical stories. Betty was extremely dedicated to her family and was always available to help out with any project. She especially loved to help out with her new grandchildren and great-grand¬children and would rock and sing to them for hours. Betty is survived by her three children: Dennis M. Wagner and (Mary Lynn) of Laurel, Debbie J. Oswald and (Malyn) of Joliet and Tim J.Wagner and (Mary) of Laurel. Betty had seven grandchildren: Chad M. Wagner (Tricia) of Laurel, Dennis C. Wagner of Phoenix, Ariz., Jason L. Oswald (Nicki) of Joliet, Joette N. Larson of Billings, Justin T. Oswald (Melissa) of Joliet, and Wendy A. Brewer (Josh) of Copperas Cove, Texas. Her grandson Timothy M. Wagner preceded her in death in 2004. Betty enjoyed her nine great-grandchildren: Cassidy Larson, Kelsey Larson, Trey Oswald, Tysa Oswald, Tory Oswald, Dillon Wagner, RaeLynn Wagner, Zackary Brewer and Waylan Brewer. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, at Smith Funeral Chapel, 315 E. Third St. in Laurel, with burial in the Laurel Cemetery. Published in the Billings Gazette on 6/25/2007. Rita Cook Price ritaprice@sbcglobal.net