YAKIMA - Betty Joan (Moore) Ammerman, 77, passed away on May 25, 2011 in Yakima. She was born on March 29, 1934 in Greeley, Colorado to Joe and Frieda (Fox) Moore. After living in Montana and Portland until 1946, the family settled in the lower Yakima Valley to farm. Betty attended the Granger schools until her marriage to Eldon Lee Ammerman on July 31, 1950. They lived and farmed in the Outlook/Zillah area until 1958 when they settled in the Prosser area to farm and work in the Prosser Community. Betty worked at Fords Grill (Kenos) as a waitress and at a floral shop as a floral arrangement designer. In 1965, she and Eldon took over management of the Washington State Liquor Store, until she retired in December 2006. Together, they raised 3 sons. Betty was their greatest fan and cheerleader through their years of athletics and activities, never missing a sporting event in all those years. Gardening and floral arrangement was one of her earlier passions. She won many awards for her creations at the local fairs, including Best of Show for her beautiful yard and garden. Betty served as a judge for many years for the Prosser States Day Parade. Later she discovered a new passion in ceramics (all phases). She owned every mold imaginable and developed an artistic talent of her own for every piece she made. She also taught classes in painting and finish work. Betty loved to dance. The Waltz, Fox Trot, Polka, Line Dancing, you name it, she danced it. Betty was a regular blood donor and gave over 10 gallons in her lifetime. Betty enjoyed her years at the liquor store where she met many friends over the years. They were always welcome to drop by and visit, maybe pick up a ceramic piece to work on while they visited.

Betty is survived by her sons, Randy and wife, Linda of Yakima, Mike and wife, Silvia of Redmond and Jeff and wife, Shari of Prosser; grandchildren, Jared, Tom, Whitney, Nicole (Moscou), Westyn, Grace and Katherine; 7 great-grandchildren; and brother, Ronald Moore and wife, Sharon of Granger.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Eldon; her parents; and her bother, James Moore.

A special thank you to Cindy Clark and her staff at Ellen House in Yakima, where Betty spent the last two years of her life.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, May 31 at the First Presbyterian Church in Prosser. Prosser Funeral Home and Crematory is handling the arrangements.